Established in July 2002, Dishari, a concern of British American Tobacco Bangladesh (BATB), trained more than 800 students free of cost at its four centres across the country, the authorities said.

The trainees included rural youths, who are economically disadvantaged, children of farmers, government employees and different professionals.

Dishari got started with Chechua IT centre in Kushtia to spread IT education among the rural youth, especially the children of leaf farmers. Afterwards three more centres have been set up at Moulvibazar in 2003, Manikganj in 2004 and Cox's Bazar in 2005.

Firoz Salauddin Rajib, community relations executive, corporate regulatory affairs (Cora) and also project manager of Dishari said the BATB established Dishari in support of its commitment to be a development partner of the country and to support the government's emphasis on IT.

Dishari introduced executive batch for different professionals and government employees in 2005, aiming at developing the skills of existing jobholders in the community such as journalists, local government employees and others.

"Any computer-illiterate and financially disadvantaged can take the course at Dishari's regular course after taking part in an admission test, while professionals can take the course in Dishari's executive batch," Firoz said.

A group of journalists on Thursday visited Dishari's Manikganj branch situated in the Bat's Manikganj Leaf Office at the invitation of the authorities.

Currently, the 17th batch of 12 students is completing the two-month basic course at the Manikganj centre, Shamim Haider, trainer of the Dishari Manikganj said.

Trained instructors demonstrate basic operation of computers and Microsoft Office and other basic applications that are frequently in use. Students are also taught fundamental English. Passing at least SSC is a prerequisite for admission at Dishari.

"All the students have access to individual PCs during the classes. The centre also has a library for the students. " Shamim said.

He said many of their ex-students are doing well in the job market, while many other students got inspired to take advanced IT courses.

Hosne Ara Akhter, one of the 17th batch students, who completed her MA in Bangla from a college in Manikganj, said she was impressed with the method of the course.

Shofika Sultana and Md Ayyub Ali, two ex-students of Dishari of 4th batch here, now working at Leaf Office after completion of the basic course. Shofika is working as IT operator, while Ayyub as barcode entry operator.

"The thing is not like that we train them up and leave them, rather along with the basic course, we enhance their confidence that they have the ability to do better," Shamim said.