Educational
Amma believes that most present-day technical education mechanizes people to the point where they lose their human side. To counteract this dehumanization, her trust has established the Amrita Institutes of Engineering, Advanced computing, and Advanced Management, at Ettimadai, fifteen kilometers from Coimbatore, India. Apart from these Amma has established many more schools in the field of medicine, arts, sciences and vocational education.
A number of things make the Amrita Institutes unique. In addition to learning the most up-to-date technologies, the students are given information on yoga, meditation etc. As a part of the curriculum, students take a course called " Self-Awareness and Personality Growth", taught by a yoga teacher. The course is to help the students understand themselves. They learn about the human character and exactly what the mind is.
Apart from the graduate schools, meditation forms a part of the routine right from the elementary schools founded by Amma. She says, "Meditation is a priceless gift. It opens up a person's creativity and joyfulness, so that life can become a celebration."
Amrita University
Amrita University (Vishwa Vidyapeetham)
Amma’s Amrita Institutions, consisting of the Amrita Institute of Technology and Science (AITEC), the Amrita Institute of Management (AIM) at Ettimadai, and the Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS) with its Medical College, Pharmacy College and Nursing School in Cochin, together constitute Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham (Amrita University). This is the youngest Deemed-to-be-University in the country, and the first time a college has achieved this status in less than 10 years. It is also the first Deemed-University in Kerala. (Deemed-to-be-University is the highest status the government of India can confer upon a private educational institution.)
The Engineering School at AITEC was one of the youngest to have all its programs accredited by the National Board of Accreditation as "Excellent." Consistently producing the best results among all colleges in its category, as well as having the best placement record, it is one of the most sought-after colleges in Tamil Nadu. The Management School was the youngest to be accredited by the National Board of Accreditation as "Very Good." It was also rated by a number of business surveys as among the best 30 management schools in the nation. These two schools are located at the foothills of the Western Ghats in a sprawling campus spread over 300 acres with over one million square feet of academic facilities.
The second campus is at AIMS in Cochin, Kerala. The AIMS College of Medicine, inaugurated recently, has teaching facilities on par with the best in the world. Located at the AIMS Super Specialty Hospital, students benefit from constant interaction with the hospitals doctors and surgeons. They also are able to avail of the hospital's library and state-of-the-art facilities. It is also home to a nursing college and a college of pharmaceutical sciences.
Amrita University has immediate plans for centers of excellence in various areas of emerging technology and medical sciences. Also planned are the following:
· School of Indic Studies
· School of Environmental Sciences
· School of Languages
· School of Indian and Holistic Medicine
The University plans to build centers throughout the nation and abroad. The goal set for each of Amrita University’s schools is to reach levels of international reckoning in a span of three to five years. Amma has set the dual goal for the university: 1) excellence in every field of learning, and 2) to mould the character of young people to make them worthy, selfless and useful citizens of the country and the world.
For more information please visit amrita.edu Medical College
AIMS College of Medicine
On September 14, 2002, the AIMS College of Medicine, the first self-financing medical college in Kerala state, India was inaugurated by the Honorable Chief Minister of Kerala, Shri A.K. Antony, in the presence of Swami Amritaswarupananda Puri, Vice Chairman, Mata Amritanandamayi Math.
Read more about AIMS Medical College in India
The college, which offers a five-year MBBS degree, has a first class of more than 100 students. The students' first-year syllabus includes courses in General Medicine, Anatomy and Urban Health Care and Pharmacology. But while the students will be learning the ABC's of general medicine, they will also be learning more than diagnosis and treatment. According to the college's principal, Dr. Vasudevan, "What we are going for is not only to create excellent doctors but also, because this is Amma's institution, to instill in them a service-oriented mentality."
Amma in her message to the medical students mentioned "A loving smile, a kind word, a display of genuine concern by medical practitioners will definitely complement the curative power of the medicines. It is Amma's wish that her children in the medical profession are considered by society to be role models of selfless service, self-sacrifice and patience."
Contact: medicalcollege@aimshospital.org
Advanced Computing
Amrita Institute of Advanced Computing
Amrita Institute of Advanced Computing (AIAC) is one of the Authorized Training Centers for the Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) for conducting the prestigious Diploma in Advanced Computing (DAC). C-DAC is a national initiative of the India government that designed and developed the most popular PARAM 10000 series supercomputers in India.
Courses include a Diploma in Advanced Computing (DAC), a Diploma in Advanced Computer Arts (DACA), and a Diploma in VLSI Design. And, AIAC has recently added new courses to its program to meet the needs of developing industries for highly qualified personnel. The Structural Design and Research in Computer Technology (SDRC) is a course aimed at engineers and designers to manage computer-aided design, computer-aided manufacturing and computer-aided engineering systems.
AIAC proposes to start new networking courses for designers of Internet systems. These courses will be supported by CISCO, the US based world-leader in networking.
Computer Institute
Amrita Institute of Computer Technology
Visit aict.amrita.edu
Amrita Institute of Computer Technology (AICT) began in 1990 near Amritapuri. It was the first institute in Kerala, and the fourth in India to be accredited to the Department of Electronics. Within a few years it developed branches in Kochi and Chennai. AICT's academic curriculum was developed in collaboration with the Indian government's research and development center, CDAC, and universities close to its branches.
The purpose AICT is to provide computer training education to rural youth that is exceptional in quality, low cost to the student and imbued with Amma's hallmark: love, compassion and providing individuals with a sense of responsibility to themselves, their family and their community. The school is exceptional in that it has the latest equipment and continues to be current in the latest computer technology and developments. A unique advantage of the school is its access to C-DAC (Center for Development of Advanced Computing), the Indian government's supercomputers in Param.
AICT offers both Bachelors and Masters Degrees and special Diplomas, and maintains important links with the business community. AICT has won acclaim and awards from professional bodies for its rigorous standards, up-to-date curriculum, in-depth teaching style and state-of-the art equipment. AICT's students hail from all over India, even the North Indian metropolitan cities.
AICT Institutions across India:
» Amritapuri
» Cochin
» Chennai
» Pattanamthitta
» Mysore
» Pune
» Mumbai
» Hyderabad
Many awards of excellence have been received by AICT since its establishment in 1990. It became the first and only institution in the private sector to obtain approval as an institutional member of the Computer Society of India. In 1994, the Society awarded the school's student chapter as the second best computer training center in South India. The school's branch in Chennai has been selected by the institute of economic studies, New Delhi, for its Excellence Award for outstanding performance during the year 1996. In 1997 the Institute of Economic Studies voted AICT the best training center in Kerala.
At the Puthiyakavu branch of AICT, boarding facilities for the students and teachers are available at the Amritapuri Ashram. This closeness to spiritual and communal life enables the students to receive a more wholesome experience during their education and helps to establish important staff-student relationship. Several students attend the school on scholarship. A recent program was developed that asks new graduates of the school to sponsor another deserving student who otherwise could not afford to attend.
Facilities available at some, or all, of the AICT branches include Center for Development of Information Technology (CDIT), Alumni Association, Placement Division, Career Counseling, Professional Seminars, Books Division (offering books at discount rate through several publishers), a Publications Division (which brings out a monthly update on the computer field) and the Software Development Division. This latter is remarkable in that it has developed and marketed a number of original software programs.
Management School
Amrita Institute of Management
At Amrita Institute of Management (AIM) ,students shall learn modern management concepts, and are, also, sensitized to the socioeconomic realities of their environment. Many a well-intended efforts fail due to poor decision-making and bad management. Because of the crucial role managers play in shaping society, Amma provided the necessary impetus to develop a Management Institute with a difference. In essence, the institute aims to develop a wholesome blend of the body, mind, and soul to produce dedicated managers who shall also excel as human beings. A harmonious blend of traditional ethics and open-mindedness to the advancements in management science propel the institute.
Sanatana (Eternal) Dharmic teachings, along with modern management practices, directed for the well-being of mankind and nature are emphasized. This is an ideal symbiosis of science and spirituality, well suited to the Indian business scene. There is a need, for high quality management education and training to effectively deal with the globalization of industry.
AIM has a core team of full-time faculty members with a rich and varied background, supported by part-time experts drawn from Amma's other educational institutions and visiting professionals from academia and industry. The library is computerized and contains multimedia presentation facilities, video cassettes on management studies, TV/VCR with head phones, and an initial collection of 3500 books and 50 journals on management. Over 2000 books are added each year. The library has a database of 1000 international journal abstracts and important information on 6000 companies in India.
The value-based management education plan is carried out through lectures, case discussions, seminars, business games, role play, simulation exercises, structured and unstructured group works, field visits, etc. The Amrita Industry-Institute Interaction Cell helps in final placement as well as in arranging the 8-week long summer training with key companies. This helps the students to acquire valuable work experience and to develop understanding as to the real needs of industry and society. Admission to the school is restricted to candidates who pass the Management Aptitude Test (MAT) that is conducted by the All India Management Aptitude Testing Services, New Delhi.
AIM institute launched its first two-year full-time Post-Graduate Program in Management in 1996. AIM is an autonomous institute approved by the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and leads to the award of Post Graduate Diploma in Management (PGDM).
Engineering Institute
Amrita Institute of Technology and Science (Ettimadai Educational Center, Coimbatore)
AITEC-Coimbatore AITEC-Amritapuri AITEC-Bangalore
Amrita Institute of Technology and Science (AITEC) offers seven branches of study. AITEC is a harmonious blend of Indian spiritual ethics and advancement in technology. The culture and teachings of the Sanatana (Eternal) Dharma, along with modern technology, offer an ideal symbiosis of science and spirituality.
The principles expounded in the establishment of Institutions are succinctly represented in the motto of the ashram. "Thyagenaike Amritatwamanashuhu" (Through sacrifice alone is immortality attained), and that of the Institute, "Shraddhavan Labhate Jnanam" (Knowledge is gained through devout application).
Amrita Institute of Technology and Science is approved by All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and is affiliated to Bharathiar University, Coimbatore. The college offers graduate courses in seven branches of engineering leading to the award of Bachelor of Engineering (BE), a post graduate courses leading to Master of Computer Applications (MCA), and a Master of Science (Software Engineering), MSc (SE).
The 200 acre campus located in sylvan surroundings is accessible by rail (just 5 minutes walking distance from Ettimadai Railway Station) and road, and yet is surprisingly untouched by urban influences. The spacious building area covers over two lakhs (200,000) sq. ft. and consists of classrooms, a computer center, library, laboratories, office and staff rooms. The Computer Center, with more than 150 Pentium nodes connected over a network, is well supplied with relevant books and CD-ROMs and Indian and foreign trade journals.
All laboratories (Physics, Chemistry, Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Precision instrumentation, Thermal Engineering and Fluid Mechanics) are furnished with modern, state-of-the-art equipment. A huge fabrication shop, fitting shop, foundry and smithy further augment the fully equipped machine shop. This provides for superior on-the-job, hands-on training to the students in these disciplines. A full-fledged CAD/CAM training facility is planned to prepare students for industrial applications.
The 6000 sq. ft., computerized library contains over 6000 books on science and technology, and regularly adds 2000 to 3000 additional volumes every year. The teaching staff is well qualified and most have many years of service and teaching experience in other organizations. The college provides male and female hostel facilities where healthy vegetarian food is served. There are facilities for outdoor games as well as indoor sports & games. Expert guidance in Yoga, Meditation, Natural Living etc., is also available. The Training and Placement Cell provides assistance in summer training, project work, and placement of students in various industries and organizations.
Vidhyalayam
Primary and Secondary Education (Amrita Vidyalayam)
"Vidyalayam" is the Sanskrit word for school. The Amrita Vidyalayam project i.e. English Medium Schools for boys and girls, was begun with the purpose of serving the specific needs of the student community. Amma attaches great importance to providing education and training to children for the development of each child's creativity, intelligence and character.
The first school was established in Kerala at Kodungallur in 1987. The language of instruction in all of the Amrita Vidyalayam Schools is English and students learn two other languages from a choice of Hindi, Malayalam (Kerala's native language) or Sanskrit (an ancient Indian language). Cultural values, selfless service and personal responsibility are taught and practiced.
The intention is to teach the children the art and science of right living (selfless service, humility,obedience, compassion, righteousness, fortitude, optimism, self-confidence, fearlessness and patriotism and Self-discovery) as well as provide an excellent foundation in the sciences and technology- the best of both Indian and 
Western traditions.
Now there are 44 such schools in 7 states i.e. in Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra and New Delhi (a union territory) throughout India. The schools provide primary, secondary and senior secondary education.
The facilities provided for students at these schools include science laboratories, computer education and libraries apart from playgrounds and classrooms.
Amma's plans are to build 100 such schools throughout India.
Amma wants the children to have the best possible education — an education that helps them to develop physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. As Amma says, "Gaining mastery over the mind is the real education." During these formative years, great care is needed, like the care a fence provides for a young sapling.
The schools are all taught in English and follow the CBSE ( 
a very well regarded curriculum, fomulated by the Central Board of Education in India) syllabus.
For more information please visit Amrita Vidhlayams around the country
Software Training
Amrita Software Training Center
Amrita Software Training Center (ASTC) is a subsidiary of Amrita Institute of Advanced Computing. ASTC is managed by Mata Amritanandamayi Math, a service oriented institution with an excellent infrastructure and plentiful resources. The center offers spacious, well equipped, classrooms and A/C Labs. ASTC offers experienced faculty with subject expertise and programming skills. Courses can be specially designed for creative and educative curriculum.
Need based special course can also be devised. This is an institution which can understand the varying needs of students.
Industrial Training
M. A. M. T. Industrial Training Center
Industrial Training Center (ITC) provides exemplary technical training for students to become independent traders. There is a fabrication unit for furniture and a body building 
unit, for vehicles functioning as supplementary units of the center. The students are studying for the two year National Training and Development Certificate.
There are four main trades: Civil Engineering Draftsmen, Fitters (Metalworkers), Electronics (Radio and TV Repairs), and Plumbers. The center has grown rapidly in recent years and there are now 500 students. Some will apply to train at AICT for the Computer Aided Design short course, to further enhance their job prospects.
Most courses are two years duration and the college maintains a high pass-rate with over 80% level in every trade. Students in Computer and Plumbing courses won first prize in the 1999 District and State level competitions. The students receive the National Council for Vocational Training Certificate organized by the Government of India's Ministry of Labor.
Having began in 1991, this center is one of the best of its kind in Kerala, and has a good name. It is accepted by many places outside of Kerala because of its reputation. Kasturi, Amma's elder sister is the principal. Girls and boys take the civil engineer's drafting course. Of the students study building construction, almost one-third are girls, some of whom would like to go on to Computer Aided Design.
Pharmaceutical Sciences
Amrita College of Pharmaceutical Sciences (ACPS)
The Amrita College of Pharmaceutical Sciences began in 1997 when the Pharmacy Council of India, and the All India Council of Technical Education (AICTE) approved a two-year Diploma in Pharmacy.
AIMS College of Pharmacy, India
ACPS came into existence as a part of the AIMS hospital project with the goal of establishing a hospital pharmacy service and a clinical pharmacy. In addition to the two year Diploma of Pharmacy Course, planning for a degree on the campus at AIMS is underway. The course will be converted to the Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and we will help students to convert their diploma into the degree qualification. The course covers the chemistry of both natural and synthetic medicines, the making of medicines and the legal, social, and commercial aspects of the profession. Community pharmacology covers the health education aspects. The course is job-oriented but we see our teaching role as wider than just the profession.
Amma advises all professionals to blend modern science with traditional Indian spiritual ethics, and students receive guidance on the value and meaning of life through seminars on spirituality. The advantage of being attached to the ashram is that students are treated more like family, and are considered more personally.
The exposure to spiritual retreats, and the interaction with the ashram's swamis has helped students develop their character. Soon, the college plans to offer the Bachelors Degree course in Pharmacy.
Nursing School
Amrita College of Nursing
The College of Nursing is situated within the AIMS campus. The classes for the first year B.Sc. Nursing students starts during the month of January every year and has an annual intake of 50 students.
The four year Bachelor of Science. Nursing program is aimed at preparing professional nursing graduates to hold the first level of position in Nursing Service, Education and Community Health, who will be able to render comprehensive health care to all in various settings and actively participate in nursing research for better patient care.
AIMS Nursing School in India
Nutrition Laboratory
Here the students will learn to prepare normal diet and therapeutic diet for various disease conditions without loosing nutrients under the guidance of a qualified dietitian. They will also use this lab to prepare different types of exhibits required to conduct various health educational programs.
Maternal & Child Health Laboratory
This lab consists of various obstetrical charts related to antenatal, intra natal and postnatal care and models to practice conduct of labor. This also includes baby mannequins to practice pediatric nursing procedures, growth chart, immunization schedule and play materials for different age group.
Library
The library has more than 1000 textbooks for the first year and an extended collection of various nursing journals from India and abroad.
Computer Laboratory
Adequate number of computers is provided in this lab for the students to develop ability in the application of computer in the health and education.
Community Health Laboratory
In this lab, the students practice bag technique required for family health care and prepare the materials needed for health education, school health program, health camps, exhibitions and projects.
