Premier Jennifer Smith's claim to be a "graduate'' of a programme at top US university Harvard is "a little misleading'', a spokeswoman for the university said.

The course Ms Smith completed -- the Harvard University John F. Kennedy School of Government's Senior Executives in State and Local Government programme -- is a summer school of around three weeks' duration with no formal academic standing.

Director of the programme Robyn Champion said: "It's a non-credit, non-degree programme. I wouldn't say you graduate.

"You're considered an alumnus of the school, but that includes graduates and people who have attended executive programmes here.

"I'm a graduate of the JFK School of Government because I took my Master's degree here. I was here for a year, so there is a real distinction.

"She is not a graduate, with all that that implies.

"Executive programmes don't have graduates, don't have exams and you don't matriculate in the formal sense of the word.

"I try to discourage people from saying they are a graduate of the school because it can be misconstrued.

"People who have attended for four years or, as I did, for a year, take it slightly amiss.'' A spokeswoman for Ms Smith said the Premier did not hold a degree from Harvard.

But she did not agree -- contrary to Ms Champion's statements -- that the style "graduate'' was inappropriate.

The spokeswoman said: "No, the programme is stated correctly and is the manner in which the John F. Kennedy School of Government refers to alumnus.'' Ms Champion confirmed that there were no fixed academic qualifications for entry and no formal examination process.

The notes on admission to the course said: "Acceptance will be based on the applicant's current responsibilities, past achievements and potential for future contribution to the community.'' A spokeswoman for the university added: "If you go through the executive programme at Harvard you are considered an alumnus.

"But I would agree it does sound a little misleading.'' Richard Cahoon, of the university's enrolment services department, however, confirmed Ms Smith completed the programme for senior executives course in 1984, while sitting as an Opposition Senator.

But he agreed with his colleague that the term "graduate'' might not be appropriate.

He said: "I suppose not. There is no graduation ceremony. It's not a degree programme, it's an executive programme.'' Ms Smith's official biography, obtained through Government Information Services, lists her as "a graduate of Harvard University's John F. Kennedy's School of Government's Programme for Senior Executives in State and Local Government''.

And her entry in this year's edition of Who's Who in Bermuda Business makes the same claim.

Up to the 1999 edition of the handbook, the first after Ms Smith became Premier, she also listed a qualification in art gained from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and a qualification in tourism from Bermuda College.

The Harvard programme -- which this year requires a fee of $8,700, as well as a sponsorship endorsement -- has run for several years and attendees are not matriculated as Harvard students. The course involves seminar style case studies where participants are expected to deal with sample cases designed to encourage new management ideas and techniques, as well as classroom sessions.

But the only formal qualifications the JFK School of Government offers are two year postgraduate and mid-career Masters' degrees or Ph.D. degrees.

Premier Jennifer Smith: Ms Smith completed a programme at Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.