The Tech Quest 2000 sponsored by the National Training Board (NTB) acknowledged nine of its scholarship recipients this week.

Acting Education Minister Ewart Brown recognised the awardees flanked by NTB executive director Michael Stowe.

Mr. Stowe, along with Nalton Brangman, was behind the Government and ACE Foundation collaborative to create advancement for Bermudians.

"It (Tech Quest 2000) is a continuum of development that builds on the certificate, associate degree and first level achievement of technicians," said Dr. Brown.

"Through the Tech Quest 2000 project, we are developing the next generation of university qualified, technologically savvy people who can and will act as the educators, industry leaders and entrepreneurs of the future," he added.

The programme helps candidates obtain specialist university level degrees in technology, technology education, technology management and workforce development.

With the help of ACE Foundation, who donated a total of $45,000 to the project, NTB has distributed more than $250,000 since 2002.

The nine award winners studied a diverse range of subjects from engineering to cosmetology.

Mr. Stowe explained that not all of the award recipients study in the technical field but will study fields, such as human resources, that will assist in the technical field.

Some recipients, such as Terlena Murphy, received her bachelor of science degree in Communications from Howard University. She will study for her master's degree in human resource management.

Other recipients, such as Joseph Weeks, who is also studying at Howard University, studied in the technological field of electrical engineering. He will start the third year of the five year programme in August.

The other recipients were: Derreck Bean, Nina Cordeiro, Gerald Saltus, Dawn Santucci-Smith, Justin Stowe, Gerry Swan, and Llewellyn Trott.

Five other students will join the award winners and their field of study include, landscape management, optical engineering, transportation management.

The second phase of Tech Quest 2000 project will assist six married couples interested in "pursuing studies to acquire career qualifications, upward mobility education and change-of career training".

Interested couples are asked to apply immediately in order to transition to overseas colleges and universities next year.