The Bermuda Government’s Washington, DC office has become a resource centre for the Island’s students in the US, according to director Beverle Lottimore.As well as maintaining a database of undergraduate and graduate Bermudian students, the office will “support, mentor and develop opportunities” for students, Ms Lottimore said.Located at 7th Street in the US capital, the office opened in September 2009 to promote the Island’s interests and further relations with the US government.Its function was also described as “semi consular” at the June 2010 appointment of former managing director Omar McIntosh.Ms Lottimore said that assisting Bermudians studying in the DC and surrounding areas was not new to the office, but that the support is being enhanced at the office “as time and resources permit”.She said the support will include promoting opportunities for local students in US schools, promoting internships and summer jobs, setting up “a public and private sector mentoring programme”, and a tutorial programme.Workshops, an annual conference for students in the US and a “student send off” in Bermuda for those studying abroad are also to be offered.The Bermuda Chamber of Commerce has agreed to help the initiative by circulating a request from the office among its local members to keep students informed of opportunities on the Island.“We are pleased with the support shown by the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce as it could lead to easier connections to future employment opportunities for the students on their return to Bermuda following the completion of their studies,” Ms Lottimore said.There has been no change to the office’s core functions, she added: “to maintain open channels of communication with US policymakers and their advisers while also facilitating business development opportunities for Bermuda”.Useful website: www.bermudadc.com.