Bihar is one of the thickly populated state with the total population of 8,29,98,509 of which 1,94,21,689 are youth (age group between 15 to 29). Human resource constitute the most important assert of any nation. The quality of life of the present generation only can greatly influence the future of this country. In order to bring this kind of transformational development throughout the state, GEMS has taken lead in providing formal and non formal education. It has done this by reaching them with Gospel and with quality technical education. One of such development programs is GIFT. GIFT is the IT Training Division of GEMS which started on August 20th 1997. Its humble beginning with four Computers at GEMS Campus, Dehri On Sone, Bihar has become a movement now. The Lord has blessed it and it has opened three more branches in Patna (Capital of Bihar), Gaya and Dhanbad apart from the main center in Dehri On Sone.
Aims and objectives of the project:
- To provide high quality computer education
- To raise funds for other ministerial activities of GEMS
- To reach the youth with the Gospel
- To raise Tentmakers to reach the un-reached
Till now GIFT has trained more than 350 students and presently around 92 students are under training. There are nine different Courses which comprises of Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Honors level Certificates. It also offers specialized course like hardware training. As part of fulfilling the vision of GEMS with respect to evangelization, free personality development classes are offered which helps in the transformation of the student’s lives based on the Biblical principles. We are giving free training classes in Music and spoken English as a part of course training. GIFT in Patna and Dhanbad city centers are concentrating on Urban Middle Class people and Gaya center is concentrating on Muslim community.
The Felt Need:
In Bihar there are 37 Districts, but due to the Corruption, Exploitation there is very little technical education avenues. GIFT type of training is one of the proven methods to make inroads into the lives of youth in Bihar.
The Future:
We plan to have one center in important cities of the 37 Districts of Bihar and expand beyond.
The GIFT Program:
The following courses are taught according to the duration mentioned.
| S.No |
Name of the Course |
Course Duration |
| 1 |
Diploma in Office Automation |
2 Months |
| 2 |
Diploma in Web Designing |
2 Months |
| 3 |
Diploma in Financial Accounting |
3 Months |
| 4 |
Advanced Diploma in Web Designing |
3 Months |
| 5 |
Diploma in Desktop Publishing |
3 Months |
| 6 |
Diploma in Computer Programming |
3 Months |
| 7 |
Advanced Diploma in Computer Programming |
3 Months |
| 8 |
Diploma in Comp. Hardware & Network Technologies |
3 Months |
| 9 |
Advanced Diploma in Desk to publishing |
6 Months |
| 10 |
Honors Diploma in Computer Programming |
1 Year |
| 11 |
Honors Diploma in Computer Applications |
1 Year |
Impact Analysis:
The following chart shows how GIFT is influential and the impact we have made in the year 2005. We have trained 92 students in the year 2005. This has been a challenge for us to maintain the goals and objectives of the center and of GEMS at large. God is faithful and He enabled us to keep the focus unchanged till now and we are sure and committed to do the same till the end.
Sustainability:
Analysis of various GIFT centers shows that the center’s growth pickup after 5 to 6 months. After six months the center is self supportive and is be able to fulfill its objectives independently.
Future Plan:
We want to see at least one GIFT center in key cities of all the districts of Bihar in the near future. We trust God that it will come to pass. The following picture shows the spread of GIFT centers within Bihar. We want to see this happen in all the key cities.
We hope and believe that this quality computer education would lay the foundation for the holistic development among the unemployed and will make a lasting impact in their spiritual life. GIFT is and will be a great help to raise Information technology professionals in Bihar. This also will produce many “Tentmakers” who would influence the society and the un-reached areas of Bihar and beyond with the Gospel.