(late) Mr Jimmy (James) McGilligan OBE served as the first manager of the Institute till his (untimely and tragic) departure in a road accident in April 2011. He worked tirelessly  for building the Institute's premises. He pioneered the use and dissemination of solar cooking technologies at the Institute. Recognising his services towards rural   development, he was awarded the OBE - Order of the British Empire, by Her Majesty the Queen of England. for detailed CV click here