skilled academics are to receive awards from the Chamber of Commerce in recognition of their achievements.

Annually the Chamber gives awards for the Outstanding Students of Bermuda College.

This year the ceremony will take place at the Hamilton Princess on Tuesday, August 8, when the achievements of three students will be recognised.

The winners are Mr. Steve Rose-Simons who is undertaking a Professional Chef Programme in the Faculty of Hotel and Business Administration, Mr. Mark Mello, who is taking an Associate Degree Programme in Business Adminstration and Mr.

Akbar Muhummad, who is taking an Associate Degree in Arts and Science.

Every year the Chamber also holds its Education Grants and on Tuesday it will hand over more than $10,000 to 18 Bermudians taking courses in a variety of subjects.

A spokesman said since the inception of the grants scheme in 1977, members of the Chamber had contributed more than $200,000 and more than 190 grants had been awarded.

The main aim of the scheme is to financially back Bermudians seeking to upgrade their skills.

It is designed for students of all ages to help them take academic and trade studies at Bermuda College, the Bermuda Insurance Institute and other local institutions.