Vice president of Academic and Students Affairs Donald Peters was off the Island on Friday.

But the post, which Dominican-born Dr. Peters has held since January, 1997, was advertised in The Royal Gazette .

When contacted, College president George Cook pointed out that it was standard practice to advertise the post because Dr. Peters was on a three-year contract.

Whether Dr. Peters -- who has seen College enrolment, programmes and facilities increase over the past three years -- will want or be able to stay on is not known.

But persons interested in the $99,733-a-year post have until February 26 to submit applications.

In his first interview on the job, Dr. Peters told The Royal Gazette he wanted to see the College take in 1,000 full-time students -- double its number at the time -- by the year 2000.

To date the College has an enrolment of 700 full-time students and 4,000 evening students.

Dr. Peters also said he expected it to pose stiff competition to overseas community colleges.

Pointing out that Bermuda was different to other islands in that its students have "the luxury of going wherever they want'', he said: "They don't have to come here (to the College).

"So we need to compete with other North American institutions. We have to be as good or better than they are.

"I have tremendous respect for Bermudian parents who want to have the best for their children and I want the College to be one of those best,'' he added.