Twenty-two undergraduate and graduate students gathered in the Bermuda Electric Light Company canteen yesterday to be awarded $100,000 in scholarships to pursue their studies in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Citing W.E.B. DuBois, the noted writer and philosopher, Wayne Caines, the president of Belco, explained the scholarship’s core philosophy: “You go into a community, you get 10 per cent of the brightest, the most intelligent, and you send them off to be properly trained, and they come back and they lift up the other 90 per cent.”

The scholarship programme aims to do more than provide financial support to Bermuda’s top talent. “A big part of the scholarship process is not only money,” Mr Caines emphasised. The initiative focuses on creating comprehensive professional development opportunities.

Mr Caines highlighted the importance of community and mentorship, noting a recent interaction where “an assortment of students and engineers” were “talking, laughing, sharing information” — what he called a critical “brains trust” moment.

“We wanted them to be with the brightest. We wanted them to see the engineers. We wanted them to grow their skills,” Mr Caines said.

The scholarships are aimed at students in the Stem subjects, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, supporting the company's vision of developing future leaders.