Burma, has become a huge international success story.

Out of the first Atlantic College in South Wales, founded in 1962, similar establishments have arisen in Canada, Singapore, New Mexico, Venezuela, Italy, Swaziland and Hong Kong, with another one due to open in India in 1998.

Almost from the start, Bermuda has been a full partner in this unique educational concept which brings young people together from around the world "under one roof'' to pursue what is acknowledged to be a world-class education. When Lord Mountbatten visited Bermuda in the early 1970s, he persuaded former Governor Sir Edwin Leather to form a Bermuda branch.

Mr. Antony Siese, current chairman of the Bermuda National Committee for United World Colleges (UWC), says that with nearly 60 graduates and eight students currently attending various colleges around the world, Bermuda has, per capita, one of the highest student rates.

Now Mr. Siese is in South Africa, representing Bermuda at the International Council Meeting in Johannesburg. On hand there to address the conference are UWC President, Queen Noor of Jordan, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, and UWC Council President Mr. Nelson Mandela. The conference is then adjourning to the UWC of Swaziland, in Kampala, hosted by the young King of Swaziland.

"The last conference was held in 1990 and this occasion will be very important, as we shall be looking at the direction the colleges should be taking as we approach the year 2000,'' explained Mr. Siese before his departure. "We can't rest on our laurels -- the world is changing, especially communications, so we need to plan carefully for the future. So far, UWC have been enormously successful.'' Noting that, as in other countries, the organisation relies on individual and corporate donations, Mr. Siese emphasised that none of the colleges rely on government backing.

"We are now sending four students a year for the two-year course, so that means we have to find backing to support eight people over that period. If parents can't afford to contribute to the cost, we do provide a full scholarship, but we feel it's preferable for parents to contribute something, because that is in keeping with the UWC concept of involving the whole family in a child's education.'' The first requirement to qualify for a scholarship, said Mr. Siese, is academic merit. Students, aged between 16 and 19, work toward the International Baccalaureate, an internationally recognised qualification which gives access to most universities of the world, and in the case of the US, often enables them to enter the second year of a degree course.

"That, of course, is only part of the story. It's no good just being a bookworm! Apart from providing an excellent education, the aim of UWC is to promote understanding between young people of different cultures and backgrounds. Students are expected to get involved in their particular community, with things like sea or mountain rescue, depending on the location of a college. So when students apply, we look at who would really benefit, who might become well-educated leaders in their community. The whole approach of these colleges helps to break down stereotype concepts of other people and cultures,'' he explained.

The eventual hope, he added, is that graduates of the programme will run the UWC committee.

Mr. Siese believes that although UWC, whose former Presidents include Earl Mountbatten and the Prince of Wales, has made enormous strides, it will probably be 40 or 50 years before the world in general will reap the benefits.

"We are dealing with relatively small groups of people and it takes time for the number of colleges to grow. But as time goes on, these young people will become the leaders who will be able to talk to each other, with far greater understanding, across the world.'' As he prepared to leave for the conference, Mr. Siese said that, on behalf of the Governor, the Bermuda branch patron of UWC, and the committee, he would like to thank the many sponsors of this "invaluable'' programme.

"Thanks to them, we were able to increase the scholarships from two to four.

If it weren't for their support, Bermuda would not be a part of this great movement, so we are extremely grateful.'' An introductory presentation on UWC will be given at the Peace Lutheran Church on Wednesday, November 22, with interviews for applicants being held next January and February.

"We will be showing slides of the various colleges and talking about the concepts behind United World Colleges. Anyone who would like to apply for a scholarship is encouraged to attend.''