Volunteer

You share our vision of an education based on instilling in students the desire to learn and excel so that they can successfully meet the challenges of their rapidly changing world while improving their employability and earning prospects.

Like AIAT, you believe in creating an atmosphere between students, teachers and staff in which cooperation and respect for individual, cultural, economic and social differences prevail.

You want to take the plunge and participate in the AIAT mission.

Then, volunteer by emailing us at: info@aiat.in

Our Volunteer's Voices

Volunteers are the vital elements of our mission, and their stories are a testament to the power of giving back. On this page, we share inspiring testimonials from our incredible volunteers, showcasing their experiences, personal growth, and the impact they’ve made within the community.

Read on to discover how volunteering with [Organization Name] has transformed lives—not just for those we serve but for the volunteers themselves. We hope their stories will inspire you to become a part of our community and experience the joy and fulfilment that comes with making a difference.

Andreas from Austria - 2024/25

My name is Andreas Patuzzi, I am 19 years old, and I have been volunteering at the AIAT for 10 months as part of the Austrian Service Abroad. I completed my mechatronics high school diploma in Austria, while already doing my best to assist the teachers and improve the education. In addition, I have 3 years of professional experience in the IT sector, and participated in or even taught at multiple local as well as international courses, events, and competitions like the European Conference on Educational Robotics or the Robocup World Championship.

I wanted to work at the AIAT because it is a great place to share my passion for technology. I appreciate the vision of high-level skill-, practical-, and project-oriented education and want to do my part to make it a reality. I had the unique opportunity to contribute to a wide spectrum of technical and educational lessons, events, and projects, and I can only name a few highlights here.

Especially throughout the first semester, I worked as a computer science and robotics teacher for the B.Voc students. I was not only able to support the lessons but also to teach independently, create extensive Python online notes, implement projects, ... I am very grateful for the teachers who supported and supervised me and allowed me this great opportunity to share my knowledge, gain experience in all aspects of being a teacher. Besides the robotics projects I initiated, I was also able to support multiple GEES projects(bio-gas dryer, welding courses, ...) and the computer vision inventory system of SDML students.

I also decided to bring the Cloudflight Coding Contest, Europe's biggest coding competition, to India for the first time. This allowed students, teachers, and everyone else to challenge their problem-solving with code skills in a fun way and compete against over 5000 international participants. I was able to make AIAT an official hosting location, bring the medals, certificates, shirts, goodies, ... from Austria, and also design custom Trophies and collectible coins. Half a year later, I also organized an AIAT coding contest based on the previous international PacMan CCC competition, where students from 11th to 3rd B.Voc participated, mentored by C3STREAM Land professionals and teachers.

Besides the technical work, I am also a crucial part of the social media team. With my photo- and videography experience, I was also able to capture and share many beautiful and meaningful moments, as well as significantly improve the online reach of the AIAT and what it has to offer. To accomplish this, I have also supported marketing materials and events and independently organized collaborations with AVI USA, Austrian Service Abroad, Litec, and many more.

Another highlight of my volunteering was organizing and presenting three one-week STEAM summer workshops for the youth of Auroville and Puducherry. These offered participants a unique free-of-cost opportunity to gain understanding, skill, and hands-on experience in the fields of "3D printing and modeling", "Electronics", and "Robotics and Drones". Although a lot of work, these workshops have truly been a blast, both for me, fellow volunteers, and especially the participants. We were not only able to offer a unique technical and personal learning opportunity, but also greatly improve the awareness about the AIAT and B.Voc.

I am very grateful for all the chances to extend and share my skills, knowledge, and passion. For that, I thank everyone who allowed me to work to my full potential. I will always look back on my volunteering time as a priceless experience and continue to support the AIAT from abroad.

Andreas at Irumbai Campus

Working with eBike Project

Teaching B.Voc Students

Cloudflight Coding Contest

At the Higher Education Guidance Expo

With ITI Completed Trainees 2024

Teaching Robotics Lessons

Andreas explaining his Project to a representative from NGO.jpeg

Andreas as trainer at 3D printing & modelling Workshop

Practical explanation

Group photo with the 3D workshop participants

At the Auroville Marathon 15th edition!

As a Volunteer at Bhishma Hunt, Sansford School

Cooking Austrian dish along with his friend, for the students!

At the Dinamalar Vazhikatti campaign as part of promoting B.Voc degree

As a trainer for Robotics Workshop

Group photo with the Robotics Workshop participants

Mohan from Austria - 2024/25

“My name is Mohan Furthmaier, and I am a 20-year-old volunteer from Austria. Before coming here, I completed an apprenticeship at the Austrian Railways and now work in telematics enabling technology there. Alongside my work, I am pursuing a bachelor's degree in business informatics.

For the past four weeks, I’ve been volunteering at the Auroville Institute of Applied Technology, and it has been an amazing experience. The students here are incredible—full of ideas and energy, and always eager to learn. I’ve had the pleasure of working on a biogas project with a group of students from production and green technology, along with two highly experienced and supportive teachers. Their knowledge and guidance have been invaluable, and the students' enthusiasm has made the project truly rewarding.

Volunteering at the institute has not only been a learning experience but has also allowed me to form strong bonds with the students and staff. I’ve made great friends, and each day has been filled with new discoveries. My time here has been fantastic, and I look forward to continuing this journey with them.”

Mohan at AIAT - Palmyra Campus

Andreas & Mohan with Stem Land Teachers

Mohan working with B.Voc Students & Staff on Bio-Gas Project

Simon from Austria - 2023/24

"My time at the Auroville Institute of Applied Technology was a unique and enriching experience that not only taught me professional skills but also provided me with profound personal insights.
The challenges I encountered during my work taught me patience and resilience. Step by step, we worked through the various tasks at hand. Although it was sometimes more difficult to carry out my duties conscientiously due to poor sleep quality or heat, it was precisely this challenge that strengthened me and contributed significantly to my personal development and resilience.
Working at the AIAT was particularly valuable. I realised how important teamwork, clear communication and cooperation are for achieving sustainable results. Many problems don't go away overnight, but a lot can be achieved with patience and proper communication.
I would also like to emphasise that this time was not only professionally enriching, but above all personally enriching. These experiences have taught me to remain patient and calm, even when things don't always go according to plan.
With these valuable memories, I look to the future with gratitude and confidence.
Finally, I would like to thank everyone who has made it possible for us to complete a civilian alternative service or voluntary service abroad."

Simon with ITI Trainees

Simon teaching Employability Skills lessons to ITI trainees

Simon during work at AIAT

Farewell to Simon

Dominik from Austria - 2022/23

"Looking back, I can say that the ‘experience of social service’ has shaped me, especially personally. Through Auroville, I had the feeling of not just getting to know India, but also many cultures and their people. I appreciate the privilege of meeting new people almost weekly
and making friends that will hopefully last for a long time into the future. I also came into contact with a variety of spiritual practices and ideologies, which was an especially enriching experience for me.
As a ‘tech nerd’ and graduate of a technical college, it was important to me to pass on my knowledge in order to inspire others with my passion for mechanical engineering and to learn myself in the process. My work at AIAT has exceeded all my expectations. I had a
great deal of creative freedom to implement my own ideas and projects, had a varied and interesting working day and flexible working hours that allowed me to take more time off for short holidays. I found it particularly rewarding to pass on my own knowledge, which I had acquired over the years, to others in a variety of ways. In courses, presentations and SOPs. In person, on video or in writing. To young people, university students and pensioners.
I am particularly proud to have created something that makes a lasting contribution to my place of work. 3D printing will hopefully become a unique selling point in the future and a tool for implementing projects that were previously unthinkable. Social services, Auroville and India will definitely always have a special place in my memory. This year has shown me how colourful our world is. How many cultures are waiting to be discovered, countries to be travelled to and friendships to be made.

I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who makes it possible for girls and boys in Austria to have such a formative life experience at such a young age. Thank you for helping to create tolerant, open-minded and independent Austrians.”