Amritapuri, September 3, 2026: AMMACHI Labs at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham welcomed Dr. Marina Puyuelo, Professor of Design Engineering at the School of Aerospace Engineering and Industrial Design, Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV), for an engaging academic and research exchange focused on the intersection of design, technology, education, skills and community development.
During her visit, Br. Ajay Balakrishnan, Associate Director, AMMACHI Labs, introduced Dr. Marina to the laboratory’s vision, research ecosystem and major projects. Gayathri Manikutty presented the lab’s government-funded initiatives in skill development, vocational training and technology-enabled learning, highlighting AMMACHI Labs’ work in applying technology to address real-world community needs.
The visit also included a presentation by Dr. Srividya Sheshadri, who introduced the work of the Center for Women’s Empowerment and Gender Equality (CWEGE) in education, capacity building and sustainable development.
Technology for Real-World Challenges
Dr. Marina also had an opportunity to learn about AMMACHI Labs’ technology-driven field initiatives.
Balu Menon presented the Elephant Watch Project, explaining its technological approach and field applications in addressing challenges related to human-elephant interactions. He also presented the Seaweed Project, highlighting its technological interventions, progress and efforts to develop practical and sustainable solutions for seaweed cultivation.
The presentations offered insights into how multidisciplinary research at AMMACHI Labs combines technology, design, field-based innovation and community participation to address complex social and environmental challenges.
Dr. Marina appreciated the innovation, quality and dedication demonstrated across the initiatives and expressed her appreciation for the multidisciplinary approach adopted by the teams. Her visit provided an opportunity for meaningful exchange of ideas between different fields, including design engineering, education, technology, vocational skills and sustainable community development.
Guest Talk on Designing for People & Learning
The academic exchange will continue with a guest talk by Dr. Marina on “Designing for People & Learning” at Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri.
Guest Talk: Designing for People & Learning
📅 Wednesday, September 9, 2026
🕒 3:15 PM – 4:45 PM
📍 Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham, Amritapuri Campus, Main Building, 3rd Floor, Classroom N-309-D
Drawing on her interdisciplinary journey spanning Fine Arts, Architecture, Product Design, Research and Education, Dr. Marina will share her perspectives on inclusive design, accessibility and designing for diverse ways of learning and engaging with the world.
The session is expected to provide students, researchers and faculty with an opportunity to explore how thoughtful and inclusive design can contribute to more meaningful learning experiences and better engagement between people, technology and their environments.
The visit and guest lecture together reflect the importance of cross-disciplinary academic collaboration and knowledge exchange in developing innovative approaches to education, technology and community development.
