Project Name/Idea:

Project Name: Graduate / Undergraduate credit courses at US universities

Your Name: Sapan Bafna

Team Members:  (Proposed) Shashi Jain, Sapan Bafna, Neptune Srimal, Bindesh Shah, Jeevanprabha Mehta, K. Deepika Dalal, Vijay Shah & Pujya Samni ji’s from JVB

1. What Vision2020 Gap are you filling? Awareness about Jainism and its principles

2.  What problem are you solving? We are seeing this as an opportunity to create awareness and authentic understanding about Jainism amongst Non-jains and Lost-jains.

3.  Why are you solving it? A) Creating awareness will help Jain organization and Jain individuals get into better communication with Non-jains in US B) This should create sense of pride for current and future Jain generations.

4.  What is your solution? Local Community leaders have helped establish the course at Florida International University for Undergraduate program in Religious department which was successfully executed for last 2 semesters by respected Samni ji’s. We are working to expand this by continuing the program for undergrad level as well as graduate level to be taught by a Samni ji (with PhD degree).

5.  Who is your target audience? Where is it applicable? A)Non-Jains but lost Jains will also be encouraged. B) We think it is more applicable to major cities having a well functioning Jain center to support with the logistics.

6.  Has a related  problem been solved? Where? By Who? Can you partner with someone? Probably. For now this program is unique in that Samni ji’s are teaching the classes for the 1^st time in US.

7.  Resources Needed

People / Volunteers:  

-Samni ji’s to teach the classes

-Families willing to accommodate and work the logistics for Samni ji

-We are planning for a permanent residence for Samni ji near the University

 Consultants / Suppliers / Services: (Example: Web, publishing, brochure, etc.)

-Website promotion

-Coverage in Jaina magazines / Website / Convention

 Financial: How much $ you will require - TBA 

8. What type of talent do you need?  Do you have the right team?  Are you the right leader?

- Right attitude

- open to teamwork

- Accountable

We work as a team and resolve any issues with guidance from Samni ji / Gurudev. Leadership is not an issue and committee members take respective leadership role as needed. 

9. How will you create awareness and promote the project?
   1. Scholarships for willing candidates
   2. Word of Mouth
   3. Website
   4. Jaina platform – web / magazine / convention
   5. Other web portals like jainworld.com
   6. Open to other ideas by Young jains on how to reach out to other Indian youth and all other non-Indian youth

10. How will get the funding?

Within the community. (Fortunately, this has been a project were we had more donors and we had a waiting list for donors.)

11. What are the first 100 day, 200 day, 300 day milestones? How will the product be sustained?
    1. 100 Days – Prepare for the Undergrad course in Fall – 2007 and provide help to Samni ji related to the graduate work
    2. 200 Days – Start Graduate program and Accomplish exchange program between Ladnu Jain Vishwabharati and Florida International University
    3. 300 Days – help other centers emulate this model at other universities. 

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