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Your campus. Your journey. Your survival guide. 🎒
From Pilani to Goa to Hyderabad, get your go-to guide to settle in, gear up and make the most of your BITS Pilani journey!
A Candid Conversation with Prof. Indrakshi Raychowdhury
From Kolkata to the US and now to BITS Pilani, Goa, Prof. Indrakshi Raychowdhury (Associate Professor, Department of Physics) has built a remarkable journey in quantum computing. Her recent research led to a breakthrough that made BITS Pilani the first Indian institution to be featured on the global Quantum Advantage Tracker. Using an IBM Heron processor, her team executed a complex particle simulation in just 20 seconds—a task that would have taken a traditional supercomputer 2.5 hours.
But there's more to her story than quantum breakthroughs. Watch the conversation as she shares her journey, life at BITS Pilani, balancing family and academia as part of a faculty power couple, and everything in between.
"Research is hardly ever a success. Maybe 95% of the time, it is failure, and success is really, really rare. That is the game you will have to learn. There is no way of achieving success at once."
BITS Pilani WILP Showcases Engineering Expertise at Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo Europe 2026
BITS Pilani Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP) participated in the Autonomous Vehicle Technology Expo Europe 2026 in Stuttgart, Germany, showcasing its expertise in software-defined mobility and engineering innovation to a global audience. Over three days, the team demonstrated practical solutions in Software-Defined Vehicle (SDV) Security, Automotive Cybersecurity, Penetration Testing, and Cybersecurity Validation, along with a Live Zone presentation on "Securing Software-Defined Autonomous Vehicles Through Practical Cybersecurity and Validation Frameworks."
Held in one of the world's leading automotive innovation hubs, the expo brought together global automotive manufacturers, technology providers, researchers, and academic institutions to shape the future of connected mobility. The event enabled BITS Pilani WILP to engage with international industry leaders, exchange ideas, explore collaborative opportunities, and reinforce its commitment to industry-integrated learning, applied research, and engineering solutions with global impact.
Unsung Heroes of BITS - Sushila Devi
- 20 years at BITS Pilani — She joined the Institute in 2006 at Meera Bhawan and became part of the Student Welfare Division in 2009
- Always a step ahead — Her 7:45 a.m. arrival became a quiet mark of her dedication, ensuring everything was ready before the day began.
- Recognised for excellence — In 2022, she received the Best Performance Award for her contribution to the efficient functioning and administration of the Institute.
- BITS was more than a workplace — As she retired on 17 July 2026, she described BITS Pilani as her second home.
- A legacy beyond work — She leaves with gratitude for an institution she says helped her build a better future for her daughter.
Thank you, Ms. Sushila Devi, for 20 years of sincere service, quiet dedication and being a part of the BITS Pilani family. We wish you a happy and fulfilling next chapter!
Student Spotlight
Riddan Ahmed: Building the Future of Cognitive Technology
Riddan Ahmed, a third-year Computer Science student at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus and Founder & CEO of R13 Labs, is developing innovative solutions that help people optimize their cognitive state through sound and haptic technology. Inspired by his own experience as a student-athlete, he founded R13 Labs to enable users to achieve and sustain flow states such as focus and calm using the company's proprietary Prism Engine.
Reflecting on his entrepreneurial journey, Riddan emphasizes that building a startup is driven by execution, validation, and persistence rather than just an idea. He credits the BITS alumni network for providing invaluable mentorship and guidance in refining his product strategy, and encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to leverage the supportive ecosystem at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus to transform their ideas into impactful ventures.
Alumni Spotlight
BITS Pilani Establishes the Gulu Mirchandani Chair for Innovation & Entrepreneurship
BITS Pilani has established the Gulu Mirchandani Chair for Innovation & Entrepreneurship through the generous support of distinguished alumnus Mr. Gulu Mirchandani (Class of 1966), Co-Founder and Chairman of the Onida Group. The Chair will help foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, inspiring and nurturing future generations of innovators and entrepreneurs.
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, also announced the establishment of the Chair in his LinkedIn post, noting: “Neighbour’s Envy, Owner’s Pride.” Few advertising slogans have become part of India's collective memory quite like this one. For generations, it came to symbolize Indian innovation, quality and entrepreneurial ambition. At the heart of this remarkable journey was BITS Pilani alumnus Mr. Gulu Mirchandani, whose vision helped build one of India's most iconic consumer electronics brands. We are delighted with the establishment of the Gulu Mirchandani Chair for Innovation & Entrepreneurship at BITS Pilani through his generous support, creating an enduring legacy that will inspire and nurture future generations of innovators and entrepreneurs.
BITS Alumni AJ Jain and Aditya Ketkar Secure $25M Series A From IIT Alumnus Vinod Khosla
Broccoli AI, an AI-native platform co-founded by BITS Pilani Goa Campus (Batch of 2016) alumni AJ Jain and Aditya Ketkar, has secured a $25 million investment from globally renowned venture capital firm Khosla Ventures, led by Silicon Valley entrepreneur and IIT alumnus Vinod Khosla. The milestone reflects the growing impact of the startup's AI-driven solutions and its rapid growth in the global technology ecosystem.
From collaborating during a New Venture Creation course at BITS Pilani to building a fast-growing AI company in Silicon Valley, AJ and Aditya exemplify the spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship fostered at the Institute. Their journey continues to inspire the BITS community as Broccoli AI enters its next phase of global expansion, including plans to grow its presence and hiring in India.
Photo of the Month
Batch of 2025
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Upload Your PhotoFaculty Spotlight
Prof. Vinayak Naik Leads Research to Strengthen India's Cyber Defences
Prof. Vinayak Naik from the Department of Computer Science & Information Systems, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, has been awarded a prestigious Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) Advanced Research Grant (ARG) as Co-Principal Investigator for the project "INDRA-OT: Integrated Network Defense Response and Analysis for OT and SCADA Networks." The five-year collaborative project is led by Dr. Sambuddho Chakravarty (IIIT Delhi) with Dr. Rinku Mahendrakumar Shah (IIIT Delhi) as Co-Principal Investigator.
The research aims to strengthen the cybersecurity of Operational Technology (OT) and SCADA networks that support critical infrastructure, including energy, water, manufacturing, and industrial automation systems. By integrating advanced technologies such as AI-driven threat analytics, privacy-preserving authentication, programmable networks, and cyber deception techniques, the project seeks to build resilient cyber-defense frameworks that will contribute to safeguarding national critical infrastructure while advancing research with significant academic, industrial, and societal impact.
Axis Bank Partners with BITS Pilani to Launch ₹100 Crore Research & Innovation Park
BITS Pilani has partnered with Axis Bank to establish the Axis Bank–BITS Industry Research, Technology & Innovation Park at its Hyderabad Campus through a ₹100 crore CSR grant. Spread across approximately 120,000 sq. ft., the state-of-the-art facility will bring together advanced laboratories, incubation spaces, and shared research infrastructure to strengthen industry-academia collaboration and accelerate innovation.
The MoU was signed in the presence of Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor, BITS Pilani, and Mr. Amitabh Chaudhry, MD & CEO, Axis Bank, who highlighted the importance of academia-industry partnerships in driving research, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The initiative aims to strengthen India's deep-tech ecosystem by supporting startups, MSMEs, technology transfer, IP management, and the translation of research into impactful real-world solutions.
