The annual college and university fair has become an important permanent fixture in Bermuda's calendar of events during the last decade.

Parents, students, teachers and college representatives all mutually benefit from the undertaking.

This popular and informative event will happen in Bermuda November 28 through 30 at the Hamilton Princess Hotel and is free to the public as it is sponsored by the Bermuda Ministry of Education and coordinated by Island College Fairs, Boston, Massachusetts.

Winifred Simmons, head of guidance at CedarBridge Academy, explained that the fair originated ten years ago when guidance counsellors began to find the many colleges requesting and coming to make presentations to public high schools was overwhelming.

They also realised the importance of providing their students with college representatives and first hand information.

Ms Simmons said: "A group of school guidance counsellors such as myself, Nancy Mattola and Marita Simmons got together and on our lunch hours we would mail out letters to colleges and go to the Department of Education to make hotel arrangements, organise receptions, brochures, and luncheons.

"It was teamwork and we did it all but it was a massive effort! "After the first fair it was obvious that we needed someone else to take over all of the organising so Mr. Ancrum took if over for the ministry.'' In the Princess Rooms will be various educational centres with college representatives.

Ms Simmons feels that it is very helpful for students to come into direct contact with college admission reps.

"It is one thing for students to jump on the internet and research perspective colleges, find out about their admission criteria and such but the reality really hits them when they come face to face with a human contact.

With this human element they seem to take going to college more seriously,'' Ms Simmons remarked.

On Tuesday, November 28 9 am until 3 pm will be allotted for secondary school students and 6:30 to 8:30 pm will be evening programmes for parents.

On Wednesday, November 29 from 9 am until Noon will be allotted for secondary students.

From 2 until 4 pm the Transfer student programme from Bermuda College will be held.

In the evening from 6:30 until 10 pm the graduate studies fair will be ongoing.

The graduate studies fair will end on Thursday, November 30 from 9am to Noon.

Between 40-45 institutions from the US and Canada will be participating as many as 1200 students and parents will be attending the college fair from Bermuda's two senior schools (Berkeley Institute and Cedarbridge Academy), and the five private secondary schools (Bermuda High, Bermuda Institute, Mount St.

Agnes, Saltus and Warwick Academy.) American, Ron Ancrum, coordinator of the event from Boston, said: "We also provide an opportunity to recruit transfer students from Bermuda College, which offers associate degrees and certificate programmes of studies.

"Additionally we will have colleges offering graduate degree programmes. This is the second year of the graduate programme and we have a few more colleges and universities participating, about nine.

"Our programme provides these highly motivated and capable international students with an opportunity to receive information that enables them to broaden their horizons.'' Drastically cutting down on the cost to parents and other adults interested in furthering their children's studies, the fair provides representatives from a number of North American and Canadian colleges and universities.

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

"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.'' Mr. Ancrum concluded: "Every year we see a new group of young people attend the fair with excitement in their eyes about going to college. Many of them understand the value of a college education to pursuing their dreams.

"The college fair provides that one-time opportunity to get lots of information, talk with representatives and find out what their chances are for getting admitted. At Island College Fairs we are glad we can make it possible.'' Most of the students who graduate from CedarBridge Academy will attend Bermuda College prior to attending colleges and universities abroad according to Winifred Simmons, Head of Counselling at CedarBridge. The Bermuda College offers several fields of study and is a positive learning institution for students studying in Bermuda.

CedarBridge students to attend college 2001: Front row: Keona Bennette, Bermuda College, Teneal Furbert, Bermuda College, Joanne Darrell, Florida State, and Alissa Hayward Bermuda College. Standing: All off to Bermuda College: Ryan Roberts, Tache King, and Aeon Moniz.