A fundraising campaign to raise $150,000 for Bermudians wishing to pursue careers in international business was launched yesterday.

Already more than $30,000 has been raised.

The campaign, which the International Companies Education Awards committee is spearheading, has supported more than 200 local students during its 13 years in existence at a cost of $1.3 million.

There are 14 students receiving help through the programme.

"We count among our programmes' alumni, lawyers, accountants, bankers financial managers, underwriters and politicians,'' ICEA chairman Mr. Andre Heyliger said.

Among those students who have returned to Bermuda after successful completion of their studies, are Ms Marchelle Douglas, Mr. Michael Lee and Ms Lucinda Benjamin.

Ms Douglas, who recently passed her certified public accountant's examinations in the United States, said her interest in international business began while she worked at the Bank of Bermuda.

Today, she is an auditor at Deloitte and Touche, while Ms Benjamin who decided to switch her career path, won a ICEA scholarship as a mature student in 1991.

Ms Benjamin is now an assistant accountant at Schroders Bermuda Limited.

Mr. Lee meanwhile, is an officer at the Bank of Butterfield in the office automation division. He is a graduate of Dalhousie University.

Apart from the obvious fringe benefits of a better trained and educated work force, Mr. Heyliger continued, donating companies should be encouraged because the students also obtain conflict resolution and problem solving skills which enrich the entire country.

"We (international companies) are very great supporters of Bermudianisation,'' Mr. Anthony Goodfellow, the chairman of the international companies' executive division of the Chamber of Commerce, said.

"Two thirds of our work force are Bermudian. This ICEA programme will encourage our young students to get into international business which we are very anxious for them to do. And it makes us feel part of the community.''