GIA to Open New Education Center in Mumbai, India; Deepak Bagai Selected as Director

Business Wire, July 12, 2004

CARLSBAD, Calif. -- To help meet growing worldwide demand, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) will once again expand its global education services by opening a new education center in Mumbai (Bombay), India on July 14. The Institute has selected Deepak Bagai, who holds a master's degree in geology and has completed GIA training in diamonds and diamond grading, as Director of GIA India.

Located on the 9th floor at Maker Chambers VI, Nariman Point, in Mumbai's financial district, the new education center has two classrooms, each with a 23-student capacity, within its 2,509 square-foot floor plan. Five-day Diamond Grading Extension classes are scheduled to start Aug. 16 and 23. The seven-week Graduate Diamonds diploma program is scheduled for Sept. 16 to Nov. 5. All classes at GIA India will be taught in English.

GIA Vice President of Education Brook Ellis described the new education center as an important step in the Institute's efforts to better serve India's huge demand for gemological education. "India's gem and jewelry industry is thriving, and it is the world's largest, with an estimated one million employees. They want GIA's highly respected gemological education to enhance their industry and careers, and we are happy to help support their education needs with our new location in Mumbai," he said.

Bagai, who is also a Ph.D. candidate in geology, has more than 29 years experience as an officer in the Indian Police Service (IPS), most recently serving as additional director general of police and chief of railways and traffic in the Shimla region, in the country's far northern sector.

Bagai's passion for gems began in 1967, a few years after he began studying geology. "One day, I picked up a book about gemstones in the university library, and I became interested immediately," Bagai said. Despite the remote locations often required in his law enforcement career, Bagai never lost interest in gems, and he continued his gemological education through GIA, completing his training in 1981.

In the ensuing years of his police service, Bagai relied on Gems & Gemology, GIA's quarterly professional journal, to remain current on gemological topics and research. He eventually earned credentials as an F.G.A. (Fellow of the Gemmological Association & Gem Testing Laboratory of Great Britain), and he has taught at the Gemological Institute of India, at Mumbai.

Bagai pointed out one of the major benefits of GIA's new education center. "Until now, students aspiring to a gemological education from GIA had to travel all the way to the United States. Now, the same quality of education offered at GIA's main campus will be available right at their doorstep."

"There is a huge untapped market for gemological education in India," Bagai noted. "There are limited career opportunities in some of the traditional fields/industries in India, but this field has plenty of openings, and a GIA education can help to open the door to a good job."

GIA has created the Endowment Fund for Education in India, a special campaign designed to support future programs and education initiatives in the country. Two internationally known Indian firms, the Dimexon-Eurostar group of companies, and Rosy Blue N.V. have each donated $1 million to the fund, and have been named Founding Benefactors of GIA India.

GIA India will be the Institute's 11th international location, and 14th overall. In 2004 GIA India will offer the renowned GIA Graduate Diamonds diploma program, as well as Diamond Grading Extension classes, and the full GIA Distance Education curriculum, including Accredited Jewelry Professional (A.J.P.), Diamonds and Diamond Grading, Colored Stones, and Gem Identification.

GIA India may be contacted by telephone at 91-22-22870844, by fax at 91-22-22870845, or by e-mail at giaindiainfo@gia.edu. Also, visit their website at www.giaindia.ac.in.

About GIA

An independent nonprofit organization, the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is recognized as the world's foremost authority in gemology. Established in 1931, GIA has translated its expert knowledge into the most respected gemological education available. In 1953, the Institute created the International Diamond Grading System(TM) which, today, is recognized by virtually every professional jeweler in the world. Through research, education, gemological laboratory services, and instrument development, the Institute is dedicated to ensuring the public trust in gems and jewelry by upholding the highest standards of integrity, academics, science, and professionalism. Media queries contact: Alexander Angelle 760-603-4112.

Photo cutline: (Deepak Bagai, Director, GIA India. Photo (C) GIA 2004.)