$3.5M Donation To Bermuda College Foundation
Athene Holding, Athora Holding, Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited, and Catalina Holdings are making a $3.5 million donation to the Bermuda College Foundation to create a Career Development Centre.
A spokesperson said, “Athene Holding Ltd. [Athene] and its reinsurance subsidiary, Athene Life Re. Ltd.[ALRe], in addition to Athora Holding Ltd., Aspen Insurance Holdings Limited and Catalina Holdings [Bermuda] Ltd. announced a $3.5 million donation to the Bermuda College Foundation to create a Career Development Centre.
“Once established, the Centre and its programmes will help to enhance the Bermuda economy through increased access to workforce development and training, prometric certified assessment required for professional development and an expanded technology infrastructure that allows for research and development of innovative concepts.
“The Career Development Centre will be open to Bermuda College students, faculty, staff and the community for a variety of purposes including testing and training services. It has the capacity to impact nearly 2,500 individuals per year through its programmes.
“Strategic partnerships between the business community, residents and Bermuda College are key to sustaining Bermuda’s position as a global leader in the reinsurance industry.
“Construction on the building is expected to begin in early 2021 and is targeted for completion before the start of the Fall 2021 semester.”
Athene
“Athene and our insurance colleagues in Bermuda are fully invested in doing all we can to bolster our economy and help Bermuda’s young people reach their full potential,” said Bill Wheeler, President of Athene Holding Ltd.
“Athene’s donation to support the creation of the Career Development Centre builds on our deep commitment to education-based initiatives that are designed to help close educational gaps in our communities. The Centre will be an excellent resource for students and residents, and we are excited to watch it foster excellent ideas and grow exceptional talent for many years to come.”
Athora
“The realization of the Career Development Centre is a major accomplishment for the Bermuda College Foundation, achieved by efforts of many, and is in harmony with Athora’s commitment to caring about the local communities in which we operate,” said Amy Ponnampalam CEO of Athora Life Re Ltd.
“We are delighted that Bermuda College is gaining a contemporary space that allows it to further its mission to provide the community with innovative programmes, training, support services and access to partnerships that lead to local and global success.”
Aspen
Christian Dunleavy, Chief Executive Officer of Aspen Bermuda Limited, commented: “Aspen is delighted to support this vital project to support the next generation of Bermudian talent. Ensuring our young people achieve their full potential is critical and this new centre will play an important part in developing and strengthening the Bermuda economy for the benefit of all long into the future.”
Catalina
Chris Fagan, Chief Executive of Catalina said: “We are delighted to help launch the Career Development Centre to empower Bermudian youth through access to innovative programmes and training. The Centre will provide the education needed to equip young people with the tools to succeed both on the island and beyond.”
Bermuda College/Bermuda College Foundation Officials
“This is an historic investment for Bermuda College and speaks volumes to the confidence the corporate community places in Bermuda’s students, in our local community and in the Island’s future,” said Dr. Duranda Greene, College president.
“Strategy Five in our Strategic Plan outlines our commitment to ‘maintain and be known for having a modern campus that is safe, comfortable, technologically relevant and environmentally sustainable’. This donation for the construction of a Career Development Centre is a tremendous step in the right direction.
“Students and users of the Centre will be immersed in vital business trends, such as Fintech, the Internet of Things [IoT], machine-learning activities and more, using cutting-edge technology. We are deeply grateful for the largesse of our donors; and are especially indebted to the remarkable work of the Bermuda College Foundation on behalf of the College and its students.”
“The new Career Development Centre at the College will create a centre of excellence for a wide array of career development and employment opportunities,” said Acting Executive Director of Bermuda College Foundation, Ralph Richardson. “This is truly a major investment in Bermuda that will produce unprecedented returns.”
“The Foundation Board is extremely grateful for this tremendous major gift which will help the Foundation fulfil its overall vision towards a state-of-the-art Bermuda College,” stated Bermuda College Foundation Deputy Chairman, Garry Madeiros.
“The philanthropic partnership with Athene, Athora, Aspen and Catalina underscores the mission of the Foundation and the importance of ensuring the island’s only community college remains sustainable and able to meet the needs of our future workforce. Corporate and private donors are encouraged to donate to the Bermuda College Foundation as an investment in our College, our Bermuda, our future.”
From the people of Bermuda, thank you Athene Holding. What an amazing gift!
Bermuda college needs to do a better job of marketing and communications and letting people know what they offer
They need to communicate the way students communicate not old style
You have to search a v complex site for course info
Why aren’t there more in state tuition agreements with US colleges?
So much the college could do …but doesn’t