A $30,000 scholarship programme was launched alongside internship opportunities for science graduates as Roche Bermuda celebrates its 30-year partnership with the Bermuda College.

The subsidiary of global healthcare leader Roche said that as part of Science Week 2025, it aims to deepen its commitment to advancing scientific education on the island.

LaRondie Harrell, the president of Roche Bermuda, said three outstanding science graduates from the Bermuda College will each receive a $10,000 scholarship at the end of the academic year.

She added: “At Roche, we believe that innovation starts with education.

“Supporting the next generation of Bermuda’s scientists is vital to our mission of driving progress in science and medicine.

“These scholarships will provide students with the necessary resources to excel and make lasting contributions to the field.”

Roche invites a Bermudian scientist or researcher to Bermuda each year to show students they can achieve their goals in the field.

Ms Harrell added: “We have decided to fund a portion of the next step of their education. We don’t want them to go through primary, middle, high, Bermuda College and suddenly not have the funding to go on.

“That’s why for this year, the 30th year, we want to do this next step to allow three of them to be able to continue on to reach their goal of becoming a scientist and researcher.”

Roche has also partnered with Carika Weldon, the founder of CariGenetics, to launch a paid internship programme for a Bermuda College student in the 2025-26 school year.

The internship will provide practical experience in the fields of genetics and biomedical research.

Dr Weldon, who was Roche’s first scholarship awardee in 2019, said: “Support from corporate partners like Roche is integral to shaping the future of science in Bermuda.

“These internships offer students invaluable exposure to cutting-edge research and will help cultivate a new generation of skilled professionals.

“We have our clinical genetic testing lab at Bermuda College and it is nothing short of amazing because we wouldn't be there without the Roche labs and Bermuda College letting us start our company there.

“It is a full-circle moment.”

Dr Weldon said the internships will allow students to gain valuable work experience including the opportunity to publish research papers.

“Usually you don't get that experience until you are in your PhD or master’s, so we want to make sure we can give that same opportunity to our Bermudian scientists,” she added.

CariGenetics conducted Bermuda’s first island-based genetic study on breast cancer using the Roche Science Lab.

The company said it improved testing efficiency and security, reduced the island's reliance on overseas laboratories and created job opportunities in the growing field of genetic research.

CariGenetics has established its own state-of-the-art research labs at Bermuda College.

Since the inception of science labs at the college in 1995, spearheaded by Sir John Swan, Roche Bermuda has been instrumental in strengthening Bermuda College’s science programmes by funding laboratory upgrades, providing research opportunities and awarding scholarships.

Sir John commended Ms Harrell for her work in driving the programme and ensuring resources are available.

David Sam, the Bermuda College president, expressed his gratitude for Roche’s unwavering support.

He described the partnership as “a powerful collaboration founded on shared values and a commitment to excellence”.

Science Week 2025 was billed as “an exciting showcase of scientific innovation, with lectures, workshops and interactive sessions”.

The application process will be announced at the graduation in May.