Government and Bermuda College officials recently visited the University of the West Indies (UWI) to provide more opportunities for Bermudian students.Last August, Premier Ewart Brown signed an agreement with the University, making Bermuda an Associate Contributing Member of the University.Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith said: “This relationship with the university provides our students with access to 800 undergraduate degree courses, which span three campuses in Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad.“The possibilities created by our relationship with the University of the West Indies are limitless.“It means that Bermudian students now have a wider sphere to choose from in terms of tertiary educational options which can only benefit their educational and personal growth, understanding and development.”Dame Jennifer also announced that the Ministry of Education has developed criteria for five UWI scholarships, four for undergraduate students and one for graduates.Along with funding the scholarships, Bermuda also contributes $37,000 per year to the University’s hospital, where medical and nursing students do their practicum.“We believe that the cost benefits to our students and their families is extremely attractive in this current economic climate,” she said.“We have also requested the names and areas of studies of any Bermudian students seeking to be admitted for the 2011/12 school year since the application deadline for the upcoming school year has passed.”Bermuda College President Dr Duranda Greene said yesterday that the Islands close ties to the school will allow students to easily transfer between BWI and Bermuda College.“Plans are underway to establish articulation agreements whereby graduates from our associate degree programmes will be able to transfer to the second year of a three-year programme, or the third year of a four-year degree programme,” Dr Greene said. Bermudian students will not only be able to attend the university’s three campuses in person, but they will have the opportunity to complete distance education courses through Open Campus.“This will be especially attractive to students who have commitments on the Island and are not able to physically relocate to one of the three campuses.”