of September.

The course is believed to be the first of its kind in the world and the college is hoping it firmly establishes the Island as a major e-commerce jurisdiction.

The formal announcement of the programme will be made at a press conference this afternoon.

A college spokesperson said yesterday: "It is pretty important, it doesn't exist anywhere else in the world.

"We looked at a lot of different programmes and asked the industry here for their input.'' E-commerce programmes are currently offered in universities and colleges at masters degree level only.

"We have specially folded in the programme with business so that our students will be able to enter the business world right out of the college,'' the spokesperson said.

"This is what the industry has requested.'' The e-commerce associates degree should take two years to complete.