a college education abroad.

A key feature of the programme is that scholarships are awarded both on academic ability and financial need. That means they are helping bright young Bermudians who might not be able to afford college to achieve their goals.

The education awards have been raised to $15,000 over two years instead of the previous $10,000 and 19 awards were granted last year. That is a huge boost for Bermuda's students and especially for those who need the help.

These are very unselfish scholarships. It might be reasonable to expect that they would be attached to future employment in the international company sector but they are not. The winners are not bound to any international company or even to return to Bermuda to work at all.

The head of the committee making the awards, Harry Wilken of Jardine Mathieson has said, " ... the perception was until a couple of years ago that it had to be very international company oriented, insurance accounting, law, a very narrow range of professions ... We also emphasise professions which are very good for the infrastructure of the Country ... one of the current recipients is a water engineer and that's extremely important for Bermuda.'' Mr. Wilken has said, "The high cost of overseas university education can strain hardworking parents' financial resources and it has been a long-standing aim of the International Companies Division to ensure that financial assistance can be made available to those with real requirements.'' For a long time now it has been clear that the international companies in Bermuda have been extremely generous to local charities, especially to those operating large capital campaigns. Indeed not one capital campaign would have been a major success without these companies or without individuals attached to the companies. Some Bermudian charities would be hard pressed to continue to contribute to Bermuda without this help.

It is very easy to say, as we hear some Bermudians say, "Well, after all, they have the money.'' That may be true but they do not have to give it away and they do not have to be as open-handed as they are.'' They have also been extremely generous to Bermuda College where aside from large individual gifts the insurance industry has been generous in supporting the insurance foundation at the College.

Their generosity indicates their interest in Bermuda and the future of Bermuda and their desire to be good corporate citizens. However they could be takers rather than givers and they are generous givers.