A new mobile communications app developed part-developed by Bermuda College students was unveiled this week.

Duranda Greene, the college president, said that the school was “pleased and appreciative” to join forces with the Government on the project.

Dr Greene said: “As a result of this partnership, these students have had the opportunity to gain practical skills in app development while networking with industry professionals.

“For us, this partnership is a testament to our mission of setting Bermuda students on their paths to success.

“For the students, it is a validation of their skill set, deemed to be of such calibre that it can be put to use in the Premier’s office.”

She was speaking yesterday at the launch of the app, called Tree Frog.

The app will provide up-to-date information from the Government on alerts, information and events, including school and emergency weather notifications and bus and ferry updates.

The free app is available for download on iTunes and Google Play.

Four Bermuda College students were involved in the project, Kevin Da Costa, Randall King, Diogo Mota and Seth Samuels.

Mr Samuels said the students hoped to take part in other projects in the future.

He added: “We look forward to other students having the same opportunity.”

Mr Mota said: “This is a great app that every Bermudian should use.”

Michael Simmons, their teacher, said the students had taken part in all the phases of development and that he was “very proud” of them.

He explained: “Usually when you do app development, the developers will just do their part.

“The students were able to actually be involved in every stage, right down to the deployment of the app.”

David Burt, the Premier, said that the students “had worked hard to help produce something that we can be proud of” and pledged that the project would not be the end of their experience.

Mr Burt said: “I want the Bermuda College to be a place where the Government’s vision of our young people learning how to build mobile applications becomes a reality.”

Mr Burt said that the Government would buy the technology used to develop the app and provide support to the college to upgrade a computer lab.

The pledge to collaborate with Bermuda College to promote app development skills was made in the Progressive Labour Party’s 2017 election platform.