The annual college and university fair has become an important permanent fixture in Bermuda's calendar of events. Parents, students and college representatives all mutually benefit from the undertaking.

Drastically cutting down on the cost to parents and other adults interested in furthering their children's studies, the fair sees representatives from a number of North American and British colleges and universities come to Bermuda and be physically on hand to offer information and answer questions about their individual institutes.

In the absence of the fair, parents would have faced the costly undertaking of visiting schools overseas or not being certain of their choice because they were unable to travel and ask questions directly.

This year the fair will take over the Princess Rooms at the Hamilton Princess Hotel and 36 institutions will set up stalls. Slated for two days, November 30 and December 1, the fair will also showcase institutions for graduate studies on December 2.

The majority of attendees are from American institutions and a good percentage are from Canada.

The lone attendee from the UK is the University of Kent at Canterbury and their stall is certain to be very busy for the duration of the fair. This University's importance to the Island is growing with the implementation in September of a joint law programme with the Bermuda College.

Currently 12 people are enrolled in the course at the Bermuda College. They will complete two years there and then a further two years at Kent.

Ron Ancrum from Boston, Massachusetts organises and runs the fair for the Bermuda Ministry of Education. In attracting participants he offers a brief description of the local school system.

"Bermuda has two senior schools, Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy.

There are also five private secondary schools: Bermuda High School, Bermuda Institute, Mount Saint Agnes, Saltus Grammar School and Warwick Academy.

Bermuda College offers an associate degree and certificate programme of studies,'' he said.

"Many students from Bermuda further their education and training by attending a college or university abroad. Our programme provides these highly motivated, academically capable international students with an opportunity to receive information that enables them to broaden their horizons.'' Not only does Mr. Ancrum stress the academic capabilities of Bermudian students but he also notes the affluence of the Island.

"Meeting the cost of post-secondary education is realistic for many students since per capita income for families in Bermuda is higher than in the US,'' he noted in an informational leaflet.

"The Bermuda Government and local businesses offer academic scholarships and grants to students especially in professional areas where employment opportunities and careers are important to the island's economy.'' College quest: Berkeley Institute student Dereck Anderson checks out foreign universities at the 1998 College Fair. Institutions from Canada, the US and the UK will have stalls at next week's fair at the Fairmount Princess Hotel.