In The Spotlight
Convocation 2025 – The Day We All Waited For
Convocation Day marks years of hard work whether for a First, Dual, Higher Degree, or PhD coming together in one proud walk across the stage. The air hums with pride, families light up with joy, and every handshake celebrates what’s been achieved and what’s to come. This July, 17,014 degrees were awarded across campuses, including 1,706 from Pilani and 968 from Goa.
On July 13 in Pilani, the ceremony welcomed Chief Guest Dr. D. Y. Chandrachud, former Chief Justice of India, who reminded graduates that true brilliance lies in serving justice, dignity, and humanity. Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla, our Chancellor and Chairman of the Aditya Birla Group, unveiled Project Vistaar—a ₹2,200 crore leap into the future with a new AI+ campus in Amaravati, world-class upgrades, and the launch of BITS Pilani Digital. The event was also joined by Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, Pilani Campus Director Prof. Sudhir Kumar V. Barai, Registrar Col Soumyabrata Chakraborty (Retd) all of whom shared inspiring words with the graduating class.They reminded graduates that learning does not end with a degree — it is a lifelong pursuit. They called upon them to be innovators who solve real-world problems with empathy and insight. They celebrated the resilience and adaptability that has always been the hallmark of BITSians. And above all, they encouraged the Class of 2025 to be proud torchbearers of this institution’s legacy across the globe.
On July 27 in Goa, the Convocation welcomed Chief Guest Prof. Abhay Karandikar, Secretary of the Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, and former Director of IIT Kanpur, who inspired graduates to aim high yet remain adaptable in a changing world. Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor,Goa Campus Director Sr. Prof. Suman Kundu and Registrar Col Soumyabrata Chakraborty (Retd) also addressed the gathering, motivating graduates to carry forward the values of BITS Pilani into their professional and personal lives. They emphasized that true leadership lies in combining knowledge with humility and vision. They encouraged graduates to build not just successful careers but meaningful lives that inspire others. The speakers celebrated the diversity, creativity, and drive that define BITSians, reminding them that their alma mater will always be a place they can return to for guidance, support, and pride.
Congratulations, Class of 2025.
This isn’t just goodbye to a campus. It’s goodbye to the places that became your second home, to the people who became your chosen family. You leave with more than memories you leave with a bond that distance can’t touch. And as you chase dreams across cities, countries, and time zones, know this: You’ll always have a place here. We will always be proud. And no matter how far you go, you will never stop being one of us.
Once a BITSian, always a BITSian.
BITS Exclusive
BITS Pilani welcomed its incoming first-year students and their families at the Parent Orientation!
Our Group Vice-Chancellor, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, addressed the gathering and reflected on what it truly means to be part of BITS Pilani, an institution where academic rigour, innovation, and impact converge. From top placements and cutting-edge research to a global alumni network and a thriving culture of entrepreneurship, he highlighted what makes BITS distinctive.
This was followed by campus-specific addresses by the Directors:
🔹 Prof. Sudhirkumar V Barai, Director, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus
🔹 Prof. Suman Kundu, Senior Professor and Director, BITS Pilani - K.K. Birla Goa Campus
🔹 Prof. Soumyo Mukherji, Director, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
Each Director offered valuable insights into the academic culture, student development initiatives, and the distinctive environment that defines their respective campuses.
Key Highlights of BITS Pilani:
• 𝟓𝟑𝟐+ 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐫𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬 | ₹𝟏𝟗.𝟑𝟖 𝐋𝐏𝐀 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐓𝐂
• 𝟑,𝟏𝟎𝟎+ 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒
• ₹𝟏𝟓.𝟗 𝐂𝐫 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐩 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐏𝐈𝐄𝐃𝐒
• $𝟏𝟎𝟎𝐌 𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢-𝐥𝐞𝐝 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝
• 𝟏𝟖𝟔𝐊+ 𝐚𝐥𝐮𝐦𝐧𝐢, 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝟏𝟕 𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬
Prof. Rao also shared the institute’s Bold Aspirations for 2030 to lead in deep tech, advance interdisciplinary research, and nurture socially conscious innovators.
Together, these sessions offered families a comprehensive view of the transformative experience that awaits every BITSian.
Research Stories
BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Develops Smart Bandage That Fights Infections Without Antibiotics
Prof. Ramakrishnan Ganesan, Prof. Jayati Ray Dutta, junior research fellow Vaishnavi N., and Chaitanya Keyal (2nd-year student) from BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus have developed a smart bandage that detects and eliminates infections without the use of antibiotics.
- Silver-coated base to kill bacteria
- Gel layer that changes color to signal infection
- Companion mobile app for instant analysis via photo developed by Chaitanya (“BioHue”) to classify infection levels based on color changes and track healing progress through past scans
- Affordable (₹10–₹20) and ready for tech transfer
- Designed for diabetic ulcers, surgical wounds, burns, and more
Backed by the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, this innovation is now progressing toward human trials in collaboration with hospitals. Practical, scalable, and built for real-world use especially in resource-limited settings. Behind every discovery is a deep sense of responsibility to care, to solve, to serve.
Student Spotlight
BITS Hyderabad’s Apollyon Dynamics Takes Defence Innovation to the Frontlines
From campus to combat Apollyon Dynamics, a defence-tech startup founded by BITS Pilani Hyderabad students Jayant Khatri and Sourya Choudhury, has made a stunning debut by delivering indigenous UAVs to Indian Army units within just two months of launch.
Built entirely in-house, these rugged and mission-ready drones are now deployed across Jammu, Arunachal Pradesh, Chandimandir, and Panagarh, marking a major milestone in self-reliant defence innovation. Behind their success is the steady mentorship of Prof. Sanket Goel, who played a pivotal role in nurturing the founders' vision and technological journey.
Proud moment for BITS Hyderabad and for India’s defence startup ecosystem.
Read More: The Times of India
Read More: The Hindu
Faculty Spotlight
BITS Hyderabad’s Prof. Suryoday Prodhan Highlights Next-Gen Polymer Research at IIT Gandhinagar
Prof. Suryoday Prodhan from the Department of Chemistry, BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, participated in the 35th CRSI National Symposium in Chemistry at IIT Gandhinagar from July 3–5, 2025.
He presented his latest research on highly doped organic polymers for next-generation organic semiconductor technologies, introducing an effective model that links molecular structure to charge conductivity. The model uniquely incorporates key chemical and structural traits of polymer chains while accounting for many-body interactions, offering a realistic yet computationally efficient system.
The symposium, organized by the Chemical Research Society of India (CRSI), featured lectures, poster sessions, and talks by leading scientists, fostering collaboration and innovation in chemical sciences.
Prof. Saurabh Patankar Selected for Prestigious RLP Management Program in Germany
Congratulations to Prof. Saurabh C. Patankar, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, on being selected for the prestigious Rhineland-Palatinate (RLP) Management Program 2025 in Germany.
This fully funded program will see Prof. Patankar undergo leadership training in Mainz and collaborate on sustainable research at Trier University, furthering his pioneering work in renewable energy and clean technologies. His selection reflects both academic excellence and a commitment to solving real-world challenges through innovation.
We wish him great success in this international engagement.
Alumni Spotlight
BITS Pilani Alumni Shine at Google Cloud Agentic AI Day Hackathon
We are proud to share that a team of BITS Pilani alumni emerged as First Runner-Up at the Google Cloud Agentic AI Day Hackathon — the world’s largest Agentic AI hackathon and a Guinness World Record holder, featuring over 57,000+ registrations, 9,100+ idea submissions, and 700+ on-ground teams across India.
The team included Parth Sethia (2020A3PS0341P) and Nishchit Soni (2017B3A71035P) from the Pilani Campus, Gaurav Bansal (2019B4AA0748H) from the Hyderabad Campus, and Ansh Lalchandani (2020A7PS0088G) from the Goa Campus. They worked on the problem statement "Improving Safety at Large Public Events" and earned a prize of ₹2,00,000 for their outstanding effort.
We congratulate our brilliant alumni on this remarkable achievement and for upholding the BITS Pilani spirit of excellence and innovation on a national platform.
Suhane Pal
Industry Leaders Reconnect with Alma Mater
We were honored to welcome back distinguished BITS Pilani alumni to the Hyderabad campus Mr. Ramesh Alluri Reddy (Managing Director, Allegis Group India), Mr. Rahul Bhattacharya (Partner & AI Leader, EY GDS), Mr. Prakash Upadhyayula (Global CIO, ADP, USA), and Ms. Prasanna Gopalakrishnan (Global Chief Product and AI Officer, ADP, USA). Their visits focused on exploring meaningful avenues for collaboration across Practice School, research initiatives, innovation, and alumni engagement strengthening the bridge between industry and academia.
More than formal visits, these were powerful homecomings. As leaders shaping the future of technology and business on a global scale, their return to campus reflected the impact BITS has had on their growth and leadership. They carry with them not just success stories, but a continued commitment to the institution that helped launch them carrying forward the BITS standard of excellence.
Events Gallery
Strengthening Industry-Academia Ties | MediaTek Day at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
On 22nd July 2025, we had the pleasure of hosting the MediaTek team for a vibrant day of knowledge exchange, collaboration, and engagement at BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus.
We were honoured to welcome Mr. Satyabodh Kadni, Mr. Bochen Liang, Mr. Nishith Dev, and Ms. Srishti Bhardwaj, whose sessions offered deep insights into the rapidly evolving semiconductor landscape. Their interactions with our faculty and students sparked thought-provoking discussions on emerging technologies, interdisciplinary innovation, and the key drivers shaping both individual careers and organisational success.
A special thanks to our distinguished alumni, Mr. Srinidhi P Katte, Mr. Kushal Chakraborty and Mr. Rohit Raj, for leading impactful sessions that struck a chord with our students. Your journeys and experiences continue to inspire and motivate our campus community.
We sincerely appreciate the time, expertise, and enthusiasm shared by the MediaTek team. Events like these play a crucial role in bridging classroom learning with real-world application, and we look forward to nurturing and growing this valuable partnership in the years to come.
MolMat: TPR 2025 – Celebrating Excellence in Molecular Materials Research
The International Conference on Molecular Materials: Trails, Perspectives, and Reminiscences (MolMat: TPR 2025), organized by the Department of Chemistry, BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus, was inaugurated on July 4 and continues till July 5, with engaging scientific sessions.
Held in honor of Prof. T. P. Radhakrishnan’s 65th birthday, the two-day event celebrates his pioneering contributions to molecular materials research, attracting over 180 participants, including eminent scientists, faculty, postdoctoral researchers, and Ph.D. scholars from India and abroad.
Plenary and invited talks feature leading experts from IISc Bangalore, IITs, IISERs, JNCASR, BARC, CeNS, and international institutions such as Hiroshima and Yamaguchi Universities. Sessions cover molecular machines, organic electronics, smart materials, nanoscale systems, and energy materials. Poster presentations by early-career researchers, with awards from ACS, RSC, and others, have added an interactive edge. The conference continues to be a vibrant platform for collaboration, learning, and innovation.
Research & Innovation, BITS Pilani, Hosts Students from St. Francis College for Women
On July 28, 2025, BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus welcomed 50 undergraduate and postgraduate students from St. Francis College for Women for an immersive day of academic engagement, hosted by the Intellectual Property Enablement & Commercialization (IPEC) under the CREST BITS Pilani initiative.
The program began with an inaugural address by Dr. Surender Mohan, followed by an overview of CREST’s contributions from Dr. Praloy Mondal. Students toured cutting-edge facilities including the Clean Room, Chemistry Labs, Central Analytical Lab, and the MEMS, Microfluidics & Nanoelectronics Lab.
The visit concluded with an inspiring session by Dr. Radhika Vangala on innovation and entrepreneurship, leaving students motivated and impressed by BITS Pilani’s advanced research infrastructure and collaborative academic environment.
Innovation & Collaboration
New Program Launch: B.E. in Robotics & Industrial Automation
BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus proudly becomes the first BITS Pilani campus to launch the B.E. in Robotics & Industrial Automation – a future-focused program tailored to meet the rising global demand for automation and smart technologies.
With the UAE positioning itself as a hub for innovation, robotics, and AI under its Industry 4.0 vision, Dubai is the ideal place to study and build a career in this field. The program is designed to prepare students for high-impact roles across industries like manufacturing, aerospace, logistics, and smart infrastructure – both in the region and globally.
This launch marks a significant step in aligning academic excellence with evolving industry needs, opening new pathways for students aspiring to lead in a technology-driven world.
Advancing Sustainable Solutions Through Strategic Partnership
On July 25, 2025, BITS Pilani and CSIR- National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus,
marking the beginning of a robust collaboration to address some of India’s most pressing environmental and technological challenges.The ceremony was graced by distinguished leadership and senior researchers from both institutions, including Prof. V Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani; Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus; Dr. S. Venkata Mohan, Director, CSIR-NEERI; Dr. Amit Kumar Bansiwal and Dr. Rajesh Biniwale from CSIR-NEERI; Prof. Ramakrishna Ramanath Sonde, Senior Professor Emeritus, BITS Pilani; and Prof. Shibu Clement, Associate Dean (Research & Innovation), BITS Pilani Goa Campus.
This MoU paves the way for joint initiatives in:
🔹Direct Air Capture (DAC) technologies for India’s net-zero journey
🔹 Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS)
🔹 Green methanol production for the marine sector
🔹 Clean energy and hydrogen tech
🔹 Wastewater treatment for industrial and municipal sectors
🔹 Collaborative research projects, working groups, and workshops
Through this partnership, we aim to co-create impactful, scalable solutions that contribute to India’s sustainable development goals and global climate commitments. Together, BITS Pilani and CSIR-NEERI reaffirm their commitment to advancing multidisciplinary research, innovation, and technology transfer for industry, policymakers, and communities alike.
UST and BITS Pilani Partner to Drive Innovation in Frontier Technologies
We’re pleased to share a significant milestone in frontier engineering: UST and BITS Pilani have signed an MoU to advance joint research and co-creation in domains such as Photonics, Quantum Computing, VLSI, Humanoid Robotics, Artificial Intelligence, and MedTech.
This partnership brings together academic excellence and industry experience, accelerating innovation, nurturing next-generation talent, and addressing complex real-world challenges. Across both teams, we are committed to pushing technological boundaries and delivering meaningful impact. We look forward to the progress we can make together and invite ideas and collaboration from the broader community as we move ahead.
BITS Pilani x IIT Goa: Advancing Science, Shaping Solutions
On July 26, 2025, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani and Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Goa signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus.
Marking a major step toward building a collaborative ecosystem for cutting-edge research, innovation, and talent development in the State of Goa. The ceremony was graced by academic leaders from both institutions, including Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani; Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus; Prof. Dhirendra S. Katti, Director, IIT Goa; Dr. Thaseem Thajudeen, Dean (Research & Development), IIT Goa; Dr. Rishikesh Narayan, Dean (Student Affairs), IIT Goa; and Prof. Shibu Clement, Associate Dean (Research & Innovation), K K Birla Goa Campus.
This strategic partnership will focus on high-impact domains such as energy and sustainability, AI-driven smart cities, and the Quantum Valley initiative — each aimed at driving transformative innovations that address pressing societal needs. Beyond joint research, the MoU also envisions vibrant academic exchange through department-level seminars, dual PhD supervision, and student-centric initiatives like hackathons, innovation challenges, and collaborative extracurriculars. This MoU sets the stage for a dynamic academic alliance, positioning BITS Pilani and IIT Goa to drive innovation that resonates across regional, national, and international fronts.
First Look at myBITS, (in the making)
One App - Endless Possibilities for Every BITSian.
Say hello to a smarter campus experience. myBITS is being designed to bring everything you need into one place – uploading & downloading notes for students and faculty, ERP access, timetables, lecture recordings, live sessions, role-based logins, custom dashboards, hostel allotment, mess change requests, SOS/emergency support, institute-wide calendar, important updates, alumni networking & mentorship, placement and internship updates, and even a dedicated feed where every BITSian can post, share, and stay connected.
If you have any feedback/suggestions regarding the myBITS app, please feel free to reach out to us at 7387788870/ mktghead@bits-pilani.ac.in
