of thousands of dollars to send 14 young Bermudians overseas to study.

They are the latest batch of students to be awarded scholarships by the International Companies Division (ICD) of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce.

The programme, which this year attracted 45 applicants, is believed to be the largest private scholarship scheme on the Island.

Students picked up their $5,000 per year awards at a luncheon at the Princess Hotel, Pembroke, this week.

Guests included Education Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira, Chief Justice Sir James Astwood, president of Bermuda College Dr. George Cook and permanent secretary at the Ministry of Education Ms Marion Robinson.

In a break with tradition, the committee which runs the programme decided to allow recipients to address the gathering, rather than invite a guest speaker from the international business sector.

Watched by beaming parents, other family members, friends and their corporate sponsors, ten award winners gave a brief address on the importance of international business to Bermuda and the relevance to their respective careers.

The first student to speak, Ms Marchelle Douglas, had a message that was reiterated by other speakers: "We appreciate what international companies have done for us.

"We see these awards as an investment for the future and we intend to make sure they get the maximum return on that investment.'' Mrs. Gayle Gorman, the ICD's chairwoman, said: "We could have had another person from the international business sector to get up here and talk about the usual things.

"But we thought `wait a minute!', we're overlooking the most important people, those who represent Bermuda's future -- the students.'' She said the scholarship programme was a way that international companies could give something back to Bermuda.

EDUCATION SCHOLARSHIPS -- Pictured at this week's ICD scholarship reception are (from left) ICD member Mr. David Ezekiel, students Ms Renee Baisden, Mr.

Kirk Williams, Ms Shareena Hall, Ms Nicole Belboda and Mr. Miguel DoCouto, ICD chairwoman Ms Gayle Gorman, students Ms Lynette Powell, Ms Shika Raynor, Mr.

Noel Taylor, Ms Marchelle Douglas and Ms Zuhairah Khaldun, and ICD member Mr.

Andre Heyliger. Missing from the photograph are students Ms Kirsty Anderson, Ms Claire Mancell, Ms Paula Thomas and Ms Jacqui van Beelen.