students when it comes to the all-important decision of selecting a college.

Government and private secondary school students from all over the Island converged on the Princess Hotel yesterday for the first day of the Fourth Annual Bermuda College University Fair.

Deputy Minister of Education Dr. Marion Robinson heaped high praise on the fair's coordinator Mr. Ron Ancrum and the Department of Education for the "wonderful experience and opportunity'' they had provided to the Island's students.

She said Bermudian students were now getting the same chances their counterparts received in North America because they could now talk to college admission officers first-hand.

She told the students that this was their chance to get information "above that found in a brochure'' and said she hoped they were prepared to ask questions because choosing a college would be one of the most important decisions they ever had to make.

She reminded them that this decision would affect the next four years of their life so "take advantage of the opportunity and see as many of the admission officers as you can and then take the information home to your parents and talk it over with them''.

The fair attracted 32 colleges from the US, England, Canada and France, many of which offered courses in technology which Dr. Robinson said was wonderful because it was an area that was increasing in demand throughout the world.

Northlands guidance counsellor Ms Margie Gordyk said she thought the fair was helpful for students because they got the chance to ask personal questions directly.

She added it was good to see smaller colleges also being represented because Bermudian students going overseas for the first time sometimes found large colleges with thousands of students very difficult to cope with.

The fair will continue at the Princess this morning and then move to the Bermuda College so students there will be have the chance to see what is offered.

international student affairs Ms Isabelle Miramon about the college at the Bermuda College University Fair yesterday.