The ABIC Education Awards program was founded in 1977 and is one of the largest and most broadly supported scholarship programs in Bermuda highlighting the commitment of the international business sector to Bermudian students. The long-term goal of the program is to help develop highly trained Bermudians who will return to Bermuda to help strengthen international business, and therefore, the entire Bermuda economy.
The awards are supported by more than 50 ABIC member companies and a committee of 20 volunteers from donor companies and colleagues in the industry looking to encourage young Bermudians to join the sector.
Over the past 42 years, the program has supported over 650 Bermudian students pursuing full undergraduate or postgraduate degrees at accredited colleges or universities abroad. Applications are invited from students in both the government and private sector schools as well as from students already enrolled in degree programs.
The scholarship awards are made based on a combination of the applicant’s financial need, academic ability and field of study. Other criteria include the applicant’s awareness of the role of international business in Bermuda and their level of involvement in and commitment to the community.
The undergraduate award to each recipient is $15,000 per year for a two-year period while the postgraduate award is valued at $20,000 for one year. Approximately 50-60 applications are received from students annually, and as many as 20 students are awarded each year.
Before interviewing, the shortlisted students attend an interview workshop given by PwC HR leaders, and each awarded student is matched with a mentor who is an experienced professional who will provide one-on-one contact, support, knowledge sharing, perspective and wisdom that will help the scholars with their education and career decisions.
Three additional grants are announced at the awards luncheon. The Michelle Outerbridge Memorial Award is valued at $5,000 and sponsored by the ABIC membership. Michelle was a 2000 scholarship recipient and is remembered for her enthusiasm for life, academic ability and all-round vitality which left a lasting impression on all that met her. The Stephen Edwards Memorial Award is valued at $5,000 and sponsored by Lombard Odier Trust (Bermuda) Ltd. Stephen was a 2014 scholar who is remembered as a passionate and athletically gifted young man and a role model to young and old, local and abroad in the sport of Rugby. The Shernelle Outerbridge Memorial Award is sponsored by Zurich in the amount of $15,000. Mrs Outerbridge, the late CEO of Zurich Investment Services Limited, was a 1984 award recipient. This special memorial award is a fitting tribute to Mrs Outerbridge’s character and achievements and specifically her contribution to business in Bermuda.
In 2017 and in celebration of the 40th anniversary of the ABIC Education Awards program, the alumni created an Alumni Award intended to support mature individuals who can demonstrate a strong employment history and who are interested in upgrading their skillsets to re-train for careers in IB or who wish to obtain an undergraduate degree leading to a career in IB. This year’s awardee is Nicole Walker, an online student of Mount Saint Vincent University pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in management and a minor in strategic human resources.
The 2020 ABIC Education Awards deadline is April 3rd and students can apply at www.bermudascholarships.com. All questions about the ABIC Education Awards program can be directed to Greta Peters at 293-4600 or [email protected]
