In 2002, we took a significant step forward by proposing a revolutionary project to the German government to establish a vocational education center in the Bio-region, aimed at addressing social issues such as unemployment and criminality among the youth, while empowering them with skills for a better livelihood. With financial support from BMZ (Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Germany) and numerous private donors under VFVAR Germany (now AVI Germany), we initiated the planning and construction of the first building phase at Irumbai, Vanur Taluk District, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu.
In 2004, we completed the first building phase and began offering computer literacy training to people from the Bio-region. The center received accreditation from the State Council of Vocational Training (SCVT) Tamil Nadu for courses in Computer Software Application, Hardware Maintenance, General Electronics, and Secretarial Studies. That same year, the center achieved a major milestone by being officially recognized as the Auroville Industrial School by the State Government Department of Employment and Training, with funding support from the German Government. This accomplishment laid a strong foundation for sustainable growth, providing practical skills and professional development opportunities to empower the region's youth to succeed in an ever-evolving job market.
In 2005 we organized and conducted a one-year SCVT affiliated course for Tsunami-hit youth in Computer Hardware Maintenance and Computer applications. 23 students joined the institute; Auroville Tsunami Relief Fund financially supported students.
In 2007-2008, enrollment in the four courses reached 80 students. Eight of the top ten finishers in the State Government Examination were from AIAT.
Beginning of planning and construction for phase 2 of AIAT campus at Irumbai. This extension project was again executed with the assistance of VFAVR and funded by BMZ, ACDC (Auroville Coastal Development Centre) and by many private donors from Germany and India.
In 2009, a new block was added to the existing buildings, featuring three labs, three classrooms, a library, an office, a staff room, a multi-purpose hall, and a kitchen with a water purifier for drinking water. That same year, AIAT received NCVT accreditation for Electronics Mechanic and Civil Draughtsmanship courses, with 150 students enrolled across four different trades by December. Since then, the Auroville Institute of Applied Technology (AIAT) has become a beacon of excellence in technical education. Affiliated with the Ministry of Skill Development, AIAT offers comprehensive ITI courses in four key subjects, supported by state-of-the-art facilities at the Irumbai campus, funded by the German Government and AVI-Germany.
In 2009-2010, Kaufmännische Lehranstalt (KLA), a UNESCO project school in Bremerhaven, Germany, became a partner school of AIAT.
In 2011, Sponsored by the Government of Tamil Nadu under Tamil Nadu Corporate for the Development of Women (TNCDW) and also financially supported by German donors, a two-month practical training program in masonry was begun for 160 women. IFAD supported a one-year course for students.
In 2012, Sustainable Enterprises Development in the Auroville Bio-region (SEDAB) commenced. Over the course of three years, AIAT trained approximately 250 trainees up to 2015 in Accounting and Tally, Hardware and Networking Maintenance, Electronics, Civil Draughtsman.
In 2014-2016, The 2nd campus building at Palmyra, Aurobrindavan (Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road, Vanur Taluk District, Villupuram, Tamil Nadu) was initiated and built for training in mechanical trades. This campus was also sponsored by BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Govt. of Germany), plus private donors in Germany under VFVAR. The Auroville Foundation provided the land for the building.
In 2015, Twenty students were admitted for a one-year AIAT certified course in metalworking (fitter, turner, miller and arc welding). The entire group of trainees passed, were placed and are doing very well.
In 2016, AIAT expanded its offerings by introducing ITI courses in the mechanical field and adopting the innovative Dual System of Training in collaboration with 10 esteemed industrial partners. Through this system, students receive hands-on training at industrial sites while earning a stipend to support their studies. That same year, the new Aurobrindavan campus, funded by the German Government, was inaugurated at Palmyra-Aurobrindavan (Thiruchitrambalam Koot Road, Vanur Taluk, Villupuram) by Mr. Fabig, the Consulate General of Germany at the time. By August 2016, AIAT gained NCVT affiliation for courses in fitter, draughtsman, mechanic, and welder (GMAV, GSAW), with 25 students enrolled in the fitter and welding programs. This expansion reflects AIAT’s ongoing commitment to delivering exceptional education and practical learning opportunities.
The one-year courses in finance executive and computer hardware maintenance were also affiliated to NCVT. At the same time SCVT courses in corporate secretary ship and hardware maintenance were disaffiliated.
15, July 2017: On 15 July, the Labour Minister in Pondicherry announced a competition on the occasion of World Skill Day. AIAT students won the second prize for their solar lamp and garden table.
15, October 2018: Inauguration of the Dual System of Training at AIAT, TC Koot Road by Mrs. Karin Stoll, Consul General of Germany in the presence of Mr Kandasamy, Minister of Labour, Government of Pondicherry and Mr Nanda Kumar, Chairman of CII Pondicherry and many MD of GT-Electronic, Sunlit Future or GM of Grace Infrastructure and Appasamy. In 2018-2019, AIAT has its highest-ever intake of 180 students!
2019: The major shift towards the Dual System of Training needed readjustment for offering our courses. AIAT has moved to a 2-year course in Information and Communication Technology System Maintenance instead of a 1-year Computer Hardware Maintenance and to a 1-year Computer Operation and Programming Assistant (COPA) instead of Finance Executive. By 2019 AIAT allowed admission only in courses under the Dual System of Training.
During 2020-2022, the COVID period, AIAT had its lowest-ever intake of only 22 new admissions
2022: Reacting to the decline in intake for NCVT-affiliated ITI courses, AIAT moved to a skill-centric bachelor of vocation courses and received affiliation of the four B.Voc. Courses of three years duration at Pondicherry University under UGC. Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Pondicherry University which materializes a close collaboration in the academic and research fields with exchange of information, materials, publications, professors and students.
AIAT got the affiliation from Pondicherry University for 3 Bachelor of Vocation courses:
- Green Energy & Electric Systems
- Production Technologies
- Software development & Machine Learning
The first batch in 2022 was only with 2 students, by understanding necessity of skill based education, the strength is gradually increasing year by year, in 2023 we had 15 students, 2024, 18 students!
In 2024, we got affiliation to Applied Electronics & Chip Design and started admitting new students.