In an effort to get Bermuda College students more involved in the future of e-commerce in Bermuda, Telecommunications and E-Commerce Minister, Michael Scott asked students at the Bermuda College for their ideas on how international business and tourism on the Island could be improved by using technology.

Mr. Scott addressed students in the ?Introduction of E-Commerce? and ?Multi-Media environment? classes at the Bermuda College last week about the role of the Department of E-Commerce, his vision for e-business on the Island and the future of e-business globally. Mr. Scott expressed his joy at seeing a diploma in e-commerce ?right here in our back yard?.

Jonathan Young, a lecturer of e-Commerce at the Bermuda College, welcomed the Ministers? visit, adding that Mr. Scott?s address to his class made the course real and he was grateful to the Minister for his enthusiastic support of the programme at the College.

Mr. Young added that students and the Minister had a ?dynamic discussion? on all aspects of e-commerce from communications infrastructure to issues of legal jurisdiction. ?One of our challenges for the future is to ensure that there is a well trained and informed work force to service the technological needs of the industry on the Island as it grows and Minister Scott recognises that these students will soon be that force,? he said.

The ?Introduction to e-Commerce? class is a three-credit, semester long course taken by e-Commerce students, Management Students and those retraining for a new career field.

Students learn online revenue models and successful strategies as well as security issues and the nuts and bolts of how the Internet works including hardware, software and networking issues that comprise e-Business.