Information Technology School in Thanjavur, India
As India is becoming a global player in the IT sector, IT training might prove to be a solution to some of the problems associated to the country’s poverty. Together with the Indian Institute for Development TRUST (IID TRUST), CAF has established a specialised computer-training centre in the Thanjavur District.
The project is divided into the following three stages:
1 SCHOLARSHIP
The project provides selected teenagers with scholarships allowing them to complete their studies at a school that has officially recognised IT based courses.
2 SPECIALISED TRAINING
This will then be followed with a year at the "Malcolm Alessi Information Technology" (MAIT) School where each student will follow a line of specialisation in Java, Html, Graphic-design, network administration, and become a specialist within this given field. The school is essential as lack of appropriate infrastructure at the universities leaves the students with high levels of theoretical knowledge and a lack of practical work - essential for IT. Students who have been selected and are still completing their studies also have access to the school in specified hours.
3 JOB RECRUITMENT
The project is set up in a sustainable manner which will continuously help teenagers to become IT-specialists. The method is simple: each student which successfully completes the course agrees to donate 5 % of his/her future salary to the IT School for a given time period in time, and he/she will also teach a number of hours to the new students in the MAIT School.
The MAIT School also offers a set of basic computer training courses open to the public. The MAIT students teach these courses according to their abilities. The money generated by these courses partly helps to maintain the MAIT School, and the other part goes towards wages for the students offering courses. The first class was held on 18 February 2002, and as such the concept has already proved to be a success.
The selection criteria for participants in the IT-course are:
- students should have finished their 10th Standard in school;
- students should be 16 years or older;
- the student’s net family income should be insufficient to fund university studies;
- students should be very interested in computers and technology; and
- students should be motivated and willing to travel.
With an ever increasing global demand for IT-experts, the selected teenagers who will complete this course will not only be able to create a brighter future for themselves, but also for other children in the state of Tamil Nadu, India.
On 7 September 2002, 20 students were selected for the first year of IT training. The students were selected by a panel consisting of the following persons:
Professor Joseph Pandiyan - He is the professor of English in Poondi Pushpam College, in Thanjavur. He is also the national secretary for the Vincent d' Paul Society, which helps poor students. He is part of Y.M.C.A and is very active in social issues.
Rtn.s.p. Antony Samy - He is the proprietor of hotel Parisutham. He is hosting the Rotary Club of Thanjavur New Town. He is also founding member of the Thanjavur environment council. He is a phionthorphist.
A computer related professor who would be identified by Professor Joseph Pandiyan.
Mrs. Vasantha - She is the President of 'Anbulagam Women's Federation'. She a very good grass root level leader belonging to dalit community.
Mrs. Arul Mozhi Selvi - She is an advocate and a human rights activist.
The official opening ceremony of the IT-school took place on 27 January 2003. It was a wonderful occasion during which CAF members had the opportunity to meet the students for the first time. A morning of presentations on CAF, IID and the purpose of the MAIT school was followed by the official "Cutting the Ribbon"-ceremony at the school itself. It was the first time the students saw the school and the equipment.
The school building has been completely transformed to be able to cope with the heat, dust and humidity of the region. It consists of a reception area, a class room, a server room and a practical classroom where the computers are located.
Europe - Tiers Monde has kindly contributed the generous amount of 3818 Euro towards this project. The remainder of the money required was provided by IID TRUST, by local Indian contributions and by Malcolm Alessi on behalf of CAF, through sponsorship for participating in the Crocodile Trophy.
For further information about the IT project please contact Malcolm Alessi, project coordinator, at +32 (0)496 56 38 46 or mail at malcolm@coditel.net.
Status of the project: Funded
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