Management
Lavkamad Chandra
Director
‘Educating youth in skills and applying technology at all levels is the focus of education at AIAT.’
‘I returned to India to give back to the society and my parents. I’m doing Karma Yoga at Auroville.’
Mr. Lavkamad Chandra has a master’s in engineering from RWTH Aachen University in Germany. He is with Karin Latzke the founder of Auroville Institute of Applied Technology/AIAT and Director of the AIAT College. The AIAT focuses on skill-centric education from ITI-Certificate to bachelor’s degree in applied sciences and technology. The vocational education program has been running for 20 years. He has been instrumental in introducing the Dual System of Vocational Training in collaboration with ten industrial partners in Pondicherry. He has over 40 years of experience in operations research management, Business Application System Development, strategy, and logistics with companies including ThyssenKrupp, Lufthansa, and Airbus.
Sanjeev Ranganathan
Principal
Education in the B.Voc program will build skills, competencies and inner capacities in the youth. This will enable them to be not only apply what they know, but also have the leadership skills and personal skills to live a good life with inner peace and contentment.
Dr Sanjeev Ranganathan is the principal of the AIAT College and HOD of the Department of Computer Science and Electronics. He did his undergraduate at IIT Madras and PhD from Columbia University in New York City. He is the only Indian recipient of the Lewis Winner Award for his research and has built over a billion chips. He moved to Auroville 11 years ago. He has been working in rural villages around Auroville to put his expertise in the seva (service) of what he is caring about - creating an integral education model for children and youth.
Jürgen Pütz
Co-Executive
The new direction in AIAT which the Institute is being able to explore in conjunction with PU - Pondicherry University offers exiting range of educational opportunities which are a new experience for youth in this area. We hope to meet the expectations that will be attached to this development.’
I have been involved in organic farming, horticulture, silvi-culture, afforestation and soil and water conservation, Watershed Management, Tank Rehabilitation and Rural Development projects since I joined the Auroville Project in its initial stages. I have successfully completed and continue to coordinate a number of projects supported by both Indian and foreigns funding agencies. Palmyra Centre has received National Groundwater Augmentation Award for year 2008 from The Ministry of Water Resources, New Delhi.
Angelika Kolb
Head of Pedagogy and Counsellor
“‘Since 2005, I've wholeheartedly supported AIAT in various ways: as a consultant to the management; with project-based and student-centered teacher training, with the "I Can" programme to improve the trainees self-confidence; as a teacher taking classes in German; maintaining social media, redesigning the AIAT web-page, working with German senior experts, as a photographer and with donations of scholarships. I’m a mentor for German-speaking volunteers and support AIAT in raising funds in Germany. It’s part of my Dharma.’”
She is an Assistant professor of the German language, has a Masters in German and Psychology, and has 35 years of experience as a psychologist, body- and psychotherapist. She has also been teaching and practising a relaxation method called Kum Nye for 40 years; here you work with inner and outer energies, feelings, breathing, mind and space. It is a path that brings joy. She mentors Volunteers from German-speaking countries and has been instrumental in raising funds for AIAT in Germany since 2005.
Mr. Arumugam
HR Manager and Vice Principal of ITI
"I deliver social service by helping students with technical skills."
He completed a Diploma in Mechanical Engineering and worked for the Department of Employment and Training Government of T.N. for 38 years, beginning as an instructor and retiring in 2017 as the principal of Government ITI, Ulundurpet, district Villupuram.
Ms. N. Nandhini
Librarian and Social Media Manager
"As a Computer Science & Library and Information Science graduate, I believe in the
library as a repository of both physical & digital information, and also the role of a librarian is not just managing the physical assets of a library but treating it as an intellectual asset of the organization. I would like to incorporate 100% library digitization here and also most importantly to keep the love for reading ‘alive’ among all students. We know that the traditional setup of the library is becoming less effective in the digital era. I’m here to enhance the library and its use by digitizing, by collaborating with Auroville Central Library & Pondicherry University Library."
She has a bachelor’s degree in computer and library information science and also has 3 years of experience in IT sector. She has been with AIAT since 2022.
Mr. Anbazhagan
Head of Accounting & General Administration
"After my experience at AIAT, I stand for rural youth getting the right skill training and education. My work is to learn about opportunities for everyone aspiring to have a better life. I work towards cultural development and communal harmony."
He joined AIAT in 2006 as Head of Accounting and General Administration. He is responsible for finances, accounting, building maintenance, admission and examination related activities with Government institutions. He is also involved in marketing. He is very much engaged for the student’s cause and growth. He is a link between AIAT and the villages of the Auroville bio-region.
Mr. Muthuvel
Admin. Assistant.
"I work at AIAT to support the management and help them achieve their goal of improving the livelihoods of young people in the region."
He has a bachelor’s degree and more than ten years of experience. He is responsible for the maintenance of the student records, Government related administration work.
Mr. J. Ramachandran
Driver
"Auroville is doing good work for the people. That’s why I selected AIAT. I believe that it’s the right place for me."
Work experience: Fourteen years as a diesel mechanic. Skills: Driving, Diesel Mechanic, Volleyball.
Ms. Neela
Sanitation in charge of the Palmyra campus.
"Working at this college offers a peaceful and supportive environment, where I can work without the burden of unnecessary pressure. The staff is friendly and approachable, additionally, the liberty given there allows me to manage my tasks independently, ensuring a balanced workload. This combination of a peaceful setting, upportive colleagues, and minimal work stress makes it an ideal place for me to work."