examination specifically linked to the Bermuda market.

From September, 1993, the BID programme will comprise two Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) courses and the new Bermuda Insurance Market (BIM) course.

Bermuda Insurance Institute director Mr. Ian Linnegan said: "This new subject is tailor-made for Bermuda's current needs and will be examined in two parts.

"Building on from basic insurance concepts covered in the CII's Certificate in insurance practice examinations, the BIM examinations will introduce and develop the concepts in risk management, captives, reinsurance, insurance accounting, as well as legislative issues in Bermuda and the US market,'' he said.

Mr. Linnegan said the old BID served the Island's insurance community well for two decades.

But he added: "Recently, the old programme required tutors to use some teaching materials which were, at best, suitable for the 80s markets but never 100 percent appropriate for Bermuda's special needs.

"In the design of the new BID, the education committee of the BII wished to include more Bermuda content into the curriculum whilst, at the same time, continuing to secure the two examination credits from the ACII (Associate of the chartered Insurance Institute) professional designation.'' New registration for the BID programme begins on August 23, 1993, with the prospectus becoming available at the beginning of next week.

Although it is a stand-alone qualification, BID links into the Certified Member of the Bermuda Insurance Institute designation and allows two credits for those wishing to pursue the ACII designation.

The BII is also searching for more occasional speakers for their ACII and CPCU (Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters) classes.

"This helps the regular tutors covering specific topics in which his/her background knowledge is not so specialised,'' said Mr. Linnegan. "It also provides back-up if the tutor is off the Island.

"Last year, on the CII risk management 655 course, there were a total of four back-up tutors utilised.

"This considerably improved the overall quality of the course and helped improve the student pass ratio to 84 percent.

"The CII pass ratio in this subject was 61 percent -- proof that we can all help and support the training of staff and help secure Bermuda's continued leadership in the international insurance sector.

"Special credit should go to American International, Johnson & Higgins and the Bank of Bermuda whose staff were encouraged by their management to make this important contribution to the risk management programme.''