Too many Bermudian students are still attending "no name" universities only to return to Bermuda and find that their qualifications are not those desired by the lucrative international business sector, Dueane Dill said yesterday.

But the Bermuda International Business Association's (BIBA) local awareness committee chairman told Hamilton Lions that BIBA hopes to change this situation by targeting children in Middle and even Primary school with its events to make them aware of the opportunities that exist in international business - if they have the right qualifications.

Mr. Dill said BIBA took a group of Middle School students on a campus tour of Canadian universities to show improving students, first hand, what is available to them in terms of education.

This year BIBA hopes to include US schools on a similar tour and that more local schools will take advantage of the programmes it offers.

Working with BIBA will ensure students know which schools are accredited, which majors are desirable and how it is best to go about entering the industry, as well as allowing students to network with industry professional who may become life-long contacts, Mr. Dill said.

"Unfortunately, a lot of students go to no name universities and get a useless degree," he said. "When they return, they are unable to secure good employment."

Mr. Dill said it was important to target Middle School students because then when they enter Senior School they will know what is expected of them.

Some Senior School students might be disappointed to learn they have already let opportunities - such as maintaining the good grades they need for top universities - slip.

BIBA's International Business (IB) week was to take place from September 14 to 20 but was derailed by Hurricane Fabian.

"We decided that our message was too important not to do anything," Mr. Dill said yesterday. "As they say, every black cloud has a silver lining. Instead of allowing this setback to derail us, we decided that this would be an opportunity to hold most of our events over a longer period."

The event will now run through October 11.

"(Yesterday), we began the Primary school visits, which we launched for the first time last year," Mr. Dill said. "We hand out fun materials (colouring books and fun give-aways) to primary school students, with an easy to understand introduction of what IB represents.

"We feel that if our youngest students at least have a rudimentary understanding of the industry and how it affects Bermuda, they will be more likely to also appreciate the importance of a sound education."

Education is the main focus of BIBA's local awareness committee, Mr. Dill said. But BIBA does not believe striving for education is limited to the young.

"This year we have expanded our focus to include mature students and individuals who already have `jobs' but want a `career'," he said.

BIBA will be holding professional planning sessions for these individuals where they can meet with human resources directors for specific advice on how to gain a toehold on the career they desire.

"The job market in Bermuda has become extremely competitive and any edge you can get over the other applicants puts you at a distinct advantage," Mr. Dill said.

Other planned events for IB week include a National Youth Debate at Ruth Seaton James auditorium on October 6 and a day-long `Making a Difference' conference on October 11 with panel discussions and career planning.

The event will culminate in a keynote address from motivational speaker James Malinchak.

"The IB industry's raw material is people," said Mr. Dill. "We as a community have to invest in our people - through information and relevant education.

"The LAC believe that there is such an opportunity for Bermudians to participate more in our thriving IB industry - but we have to be willing as a community, and indeed as individuals, to make the effort.

"Nobody should or will, just give it to you - you have to work for it."