The president of Bermuda College has outlined hopes for the institution to become more financially sustainable and modernise its technology and facilities.

David Sam outlined the college’s strategic plan before the Hamilton Rotary Club yesterday.

Dr Sam, appointed president of the college last year, said: “We have financial challenges, enrolment declined steadily over a ten-plus-year period and our resources also declined at the same time.

“So we need to stabilise our finances so that we can continue to support the community.”

He added: “Technology practically changes every day, and our infrastructure, the building and other facilities, I will admit, is showing its age, so we need to upgrade that.”

Other goals include cultivating academic competitiveness and excellence for students and staff.

Dr Sam pointed out that 592 students are enrolled at the college compared with 565 last year, the highest increase in enrolment since the Covid-19 outbreak in 2020.

He added that enrolment in the college’s Athora Division of Professional and Career Education and Applied Technical Education Division grew 30 and 31 per cent respectively from last year.

He said: “Trade programmes have been integral to what we’ve done over the years, but somewhere along the line there was a reduction in the number of offerings and the number of students.

“That is important for the economy and country, and we have been working hard to grow it.

“I consider this as stabilisation, and we are ready to take off with that growth.”

The college’s nursing programme received initial accreditation last month and its culinary arts curriculum was reaccredited this year.

Dr Sam plans to market the college to international students, particularly those looking to study insurance or reinsurance.

He said: “We will ask parents who are insurance executives, ‘Do you want your children to follow in your footsteps and work in the insurance business? Do you know the best place for that? Bermuda’.”

A few international students already study at the college, but Dr Sam hopes to welcome an influx in 2027, when housing and other logistics should be finalised.

The college also plans to launch a summer intensive to prepare students for college work, including programmes for younger children.

He said: “[The latter] programme will introduce the concept of college to children up to 12 or 13 years, so when they are ready to go to college, they will think of Bermuda College first.”

Dr Sam concluded: “When Nasa encounters an issue, they say, ‘Houston, we have a problem.’

“I’m here to say that Bermuda, we are the solution to our workforce needs. It is called the Bermuda College.”

Girlguiding Bermuda presented a $1,000 cheque to the Hamilton Rotary Club before Dr Sam’s presentation.

The funds were raised through an online auction of hats made by Girl Guide Rainbows and Brownies this summer and went towards the charity Inspire Bermuda, which advocates for people with disabilities.

Two people with vision impairments will receive services overseas, thanks to the donations.