A free online course providing foundational knowledge of the global reinsurance industry in Bermuda is due to begin next week.

The Special Topics in Insurance programme is being offered by the Association of Bermuda Insurers and Reinsurers for the fourth year in partnership with Bermuda College and the Maurice R. Greenberg School of Risk Management, Insurance and Actuarial Science at St John’s University, New York.

The course will open on January 15 with a round-table discussion on the socioeconomic impact of international business in Bermuda.

Providing an overview of the evolution of the industry and serving as an introduction to the course, the discussion will feature Jason Hayward, the Minister of Economy and Labour, Mark Cloutier, the executive chairman and group chief executive of Aspen and deputy chair of Abir, and Craig Simmons, the economist. It will be moderated by Suzanne Williams-Charles, Abir’s director of policy and regulation.

Hosted via Zoom, lectures will take place on Mondays from 6pm until April 22. The 14-lecture series will feature insights from thought leaders in the Bermuda reinsurance market, including executives from Abir member companies and regulators from the Bermuda Monetary Authority and St John’s University faculty.

“Hundreds of Bermudians have gained knowledge and insights into the island’s world-class reinsurance industry by participating in the Special Topics in Insurance course over the past three years, and Abir is pleased to be able to offer it for a fourth year in partnership with Bermuda College and St John’s University,” John Huff, Abir president and chief executive, said.

“Whether you are a student aiming to work in reinsurance, looking to switch career or you simply wish to learn more about the industry that leads Bermuda’s economy, we encourage you to register.

“The commitment of Abir to building a strong pipeline of local talent is exemplified by the executives of member companies who have generously agreed to give their time and share their expert knowledge to add value to the course.”

The course will provide participants with a broad overview of the sector with topics including: the evolution of the industry and its economic significance locally and globally; climate risk and Bermuda's leading position in providing natural catastrophe reinsurance; insurance careers; diversity, equity and inclusion; life and annuities; collateralised reinsurance; captive reinsurance; and the role of regulation in the market’s success.

Miguel Simas, Bermuda College graduate, and risk management and insurance student at St John’s, was the recipient of the Abir/RenaissanceRe Scholarship in 2022. He said the course had given him a “wealth of information” about the industry.

“Every week felt fresh and never repetitive,” he said.

“Heavy hitters from the industry discussed different functions of insurance and reinsurance, different paths into the industry and world news that impacted the industry.

“This course was amazing as it taught me so much about the industry and notified me about the scholarship I have now. I encourage others to take this course — it’s such an amazing opportunity.”

Reihonna Lema, Bermuda College graduate and Dean’s List student at Georgia State University, where she is studying risk management and insurance, said: “The course allowed me to gain first-hand knowledge and insights from industry leaders and interconnected entities such as the BMA, the Government, and international businesses.”

Isaiah Cabral is studying accounting at Nova Southeastern University having graduated from Bermuda College in 2022.

“Every week a new speaker or group of speakers came into class and shared their knowledge about their different fields,” he said. “The class was eye-opening as it showed me there are more career opportunities in Bermuda’s international business industry than we may think.

“I would highly recommend anyone who has even the slightest interest in international business, be it in Bermuda or the rest of the world, to take this course, especially as it is taught by Craig Simmons, who is so knowledgeable about the industry as well as the economics of the island.”

Anyone interested in participating can sign up either for the entire course, or for any individual lectures that attract their interest.

• For more information about the course and to register, visit the Bermuda College website atwww.college.bm