Hundreds of students of all ages are set to celebrate their graduation from Bermuda College on May 15.

The ceremony will include students from the Athora Division of Professional and Career Education, or Apace.

It marks the first commencement ceremony for David Sam, the president of Bermuda College, who assumed his post last August.

Dr Sam said: “This is one of the biggest days for the college as it recognises the achievements of the students.

“It is a day to celebrate, as many of these young men and women will now go on to further their education through the many partnerships we have with overseas institutions — ready to one day return to Bermuda wiser and better people.”

Students will gather on the sports field with friends and family on the big day to receive their awards.

Dr Sam added: “My message to the students will be, ‘Don’t stop now, pursue your dreams, be the best person you want to be’.

“For some of the students, this has been their goal for many years, and they have worked very hard, taking care of families, working to make ends meet, and finally they have arrived at their goal.”

Because most Apace students work, the ceremony marking their achievements will be held later in the day.

Tawana Flood, director of the Apace division, said: “We will be celebrating more than 100 students in 20-plus subject areas.

“Many of these students have worked during the day and then studied in the evenings and should be commended for their determination to succeed and better themselves.”

The college, which held a gala recently at the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club to celebrate its 50th anniversary, has established almost 40 agreements and partnerships with accredited colleges and universities in Canada, Britain, the United States and the Caribbean.

The agreements create pathways for Bermudian students to study abroad by transferring credits from the college’s associate degree programmes to study two additional years at an institution overseas to complete their bachelor’s degree.