awards to top students.

The International Companies Education Awards handed over a total of $287,000 to 18 students to help with the cost of their business-related education.

And awards committee chairman Harry Wilken, of Jardine Matheson, said it was a record amount to celebrate the 20th year of the annual awards.

Boston-based Bermudian musician Kenneth Amis -- holder of a Master's degree from the prestigious New England Conservatory of Music and who also holds the International Brass Chair at the top Royal Academy of Music in London -- told the audience of businessmen and families that encouragement was just as important as cash awards.

He stressed "the importance of not only having someone believe in you, but express that belief in you''.

He added: "We could not achieve our goals or aspire to our dreams without the help of others.

"The celebration of interdependence is what has inspired the International Companies Education Awards.'' And he added that -- by backing the young -- the international sector was helping to secure its own future by assisting a high-quality stream of graduates ready to enter the Island workforce.

Mr. Amis -- currently tuba player with the US's top brass quintet, the Empire Brass -- said that "globe-trotting'' international businessmen were well-used to working in different environments with multi-racial partners.

He added: "We are all capable of cooperating with each other.. .the International Companies Division illustrates that beautifully.'' Mr. Wilken said the Chamber of Commerce International Companies Division awards scheme was not a competition.

But he paid tribute to Harrington International Insurance, who made the largest single donation -- $25,000 -- for the second year in a row.

But he said international business, through additional sponsorship of individuals, schools, libraries and the Bermuda College contributed at least the total sum of the awards again.

ICD chairman Michael Butt told recipients: "We have young people going out in the world to succeed and achieve as you already have done in your professions.'' He added: "We need to have the highest standards if we are to compete because the marketplace is global and we have to be unremittingly demanding in order to maintain our position.

This year's award winners were: Mesheiah Bassett, Waheed Brown, Marcel Dill, Hannah Ellison, Lisa Greene, Brandi Harford, Michelle Kromer, Catherine Leite, Victoria Leite, Ryan Matcham, Victoria Millet, Daniel Miller, Shane Mora, LaTanya Outerbridge, Andrew Rayner, Wendy Richardson, Erica Robinson and Sharita Williams.

TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS! -- The winners of the International Companies Education Awards Scheme, presented by the Chamber of Commerce International Companies Division, line up yesterday after receiving their grants. Three of the students awarded the $15,000 scholarships over two years, Shane Mora, Victoria Millett and Lisa Greene, are not shown as they are currently studying overseas.