A top US scientific research centre’s ties with the Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences will open opportunities for Bermudian and American scientists, the head of BIOS has said.

William Curry, the BIOS president, said the East End research station’s merger with Arizona State University, announced last October, would offer “a stable career pathway for our scientists” in addition to tracking “inevitable” changes coming for the oceans.

The partnership, encompassing ocean health and climate science, was welcomed by US Consul General Karen Grissette.

She said it would inspire Bermudians to explore climate science and opportunities in science, technology, engineering and maths

Peter Schlosser, the vice-president and vice-provost at ASU’s Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory, said the partnership would enable both institutions to “expand our joint capacity for finding solutions to the most pressing problems facing our planet”.

“As anchored in our charter, ASU will serve the needs of Bermuda as it is now part of our community.”

Ms Grissette was joined by Rena Lalgie, the Governor, Walter Roban, the Deputy Premier, Duranda Greene, the president of Bermuda College, and her vice-president of student and academic affairs Phyllis Curtis-Tweed, as well as representatives from government and community organisations.

The group met Global Futures Laboratory’s Kenro Kusami, the dean of natural sciences, vice-president for legal affairs and deputy general counsel Lisa Loo, and Ryan Robinson, the executive director of development.

Mr Roban said: “This is an absolutely significant partnership that is going to transform BIOS and can potentially transform even education here in Bermuda because of the mandate that ASU has, the longstanding research institution that BIOS is, and the door that is opening up in Bermuda to other educational opportunities.

“Even though this is a focus on ocean sciences, it's clear that ASU does a whole lot more.”