Ireland's first Masters and under-graduate degree programmes in cloud computing have been announced.
Cork Institute of Technology (CIT) is joining forces with a subsidiary of US technology firm EMC to develop the courses.
Cloud computing is central to the Government's efforts to keep Ireland to the forefront in attracting technology investment.
The one-year courses can be done remotely or on campus. Initially 20 Masters degree places are on offer, starting in September 2011. The numbers are expected to grow in future years in line with demand.
Cloud computing moves technology infrastructure into data centres where information is managed, secured and delivered to users as and when they need it.
Welcoming the move, IDA Ireland chief Barry O'Leary said the collaboration between industry and academia would help Ireland to become a global leader in cloud computing.
Details are available at www.cit.ie/cloud
