In The Spotlight
From Pilani to Silicon Valley: A 25-Year Celebration
BITSync 2025: isn’t just another alumni conference—it’s where nostalgia meets innovation, and the past meets what’s next. Organized by BITSAA Silicon Valley Chapter (BITSAA SVC), this year’s BITSync was a landmark edition, celebrating 25 years of BITSAA and the unstoppable spirit of BITSians across the globe.
Held in the heart of the Bay Area, BITSync 2025 brought together founders, tech leaders, dreamers, and doers. From Ms. Revathi Advaithi (CEO, Flex) and Mr. Prabhakar Raghavan (Google) to Ms. Miriam Daniel (Google Maps), Mr. Dheeraj Pandey, and Mr. Sanjay Nath the stage was set for powerful conversations and big ideas.
At its core, BITSync is about reconnection—with each other, with purpose, and with the future we’re building together.
🎤 Leading the Way
The BITS Pilani delegation was led by:
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor
Prof. Arya Kumar, Dean, Alumni Relations
Mr. G. Balasubramanian, Chief Placement Officer
Mr. Sachin Arya, Head – Alumni Relations & Incubation (PIEDS)
Together, they reinforced our shared vision of lifelong engagement and institutional transformation.
A Coast-to-Coast Celebration
The delegation this year visited San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Dallas, and Washington DC, and the energy was infectious. From tech titans and venture builders to cricket team owners and policy voices, BITSians turned up in strength—and with pride.
Among the highlights:
Fireside chat with Prof. Kartik Hosanagar (The Wharton School), moderated by our Vice-Chancellor
Distinguished Alumnae Award for Ms. Revathi Advaithi (CEO, Flex)
Distinguished Service Award for Mr. Abhinav Khushraj
More Than Memories: Real Impact
Our visits to BITSian-founded companies and ventures offered not just nostalgia, but concrete opportunities:
✔️ New Practice School stations
✔️ Placement tie-ups
✔️ Collaborative research initiatives
✔️ Major Endowment pledges
Endowment Milestone: $25M and Growing
The biggest win? The response to the BITS Pilani Endowment Fund. We crossed USD 25 Million in pledges during this visit — a major milestone on our journey to a $100 Million goal.
"This isn’t just fundraising. It’s community-building. It’s about trust, belief, and giving back."
MoU for Rural Innovation
During BITSync, we also signed a landmark MoU for a Rural Technology Center, made possible by the generosity of Mr. Raju Reddy, his family and friends. More details to follow in our next edition.
Access Amplified, Enabling Tomorrow’s BITSians Like Never Before
We firmly believe that financial constraints should never stand in the way of talent and ambition. For FY 2025–26, we've allocated ₹188 Cr towards scholarships—₹130 Cr for our undergraduate and postgraduate students, and ₹58 Cr for PhD fellowships. In addition, our alumni have contributed ₹5 Cr through dedicated scholarship funding, bringing the total (excluding PhD support) to ₹135 Cr. Today, 1 in every 4 students is on a scholarship—reflecting our deep commitment to making quality education accessible to all.
This is a step closer to our bold ambition: To become India’s first tuition-free university.
A Final Word
What stood out most was the emotional depth of connection. In every interaction — whether over coffee or conference tables — alumni spoke with deep love and commitment for their alma mater.
That’s the BITSian difference. A shared purpose. A lifelong connection. A culture of impact.
BITS Exclusive
Young Entrepreneurs’ Bootcamp 2025 – Goa Campus
From May 19–24, BITS Pilani – Goa Campus hosted the 10th edition of YEB—a transformative six-day residential program for high school students passionate about entrepreneurship and innovation.
Selected from over 800 applicants, 160 students explored the full spectrum of entrepreneurship—from design thinking and prototyping to business modeling and pitching. The program culminated in the YEB Innovation Pitch Challenge, where participants presented real startup ideas to industry mentors.
Key Highlights:
- Workshops on UI/UX, app & website development, PCB design, and hardware prototyping
- Mentorship from entrepreneurs, scientists, and BITS alumni
- Campus life experiences—yoga, sports, cultural evenings, and startup exposure
- Internship opportunities and access to the BITS Pilani innovation ecosystem
A heartfelt thank you to our inspiring speakers: Dr. Abhay Jere, Mr. Shishir Joshipura, Ms. Farheen Sayed, D. S. Prashant, Mr. Lalit Saraswat, Dr. Lalit Khullar, Mr. Dilip Ramesh, Ms. Shalini Sitaraman Menezes, ABD, Mr. Neeraj Kapoor, Mr. Shyam Menon, Mr. Lohit Sahu, Mr. Shailesh Jha, Mr. Amit Vasistha, NAS Suresh Krishna, Mr. Umesh Rathod, Mr. Utpal Ghosh, Mr. Utkarsh Kumar, Mr. Abhishek Singh, and Mr. Meet Deore. YEB 2025 wasn’t just a camp—it was a launchpad for tomorrow’s changemakers.
Research Stories
Student-led Innovation Reaches for the Stars!
We’re proud to share that the MAHASAT team at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus has successfully completed the Engineering Model phase of one of the UAE’s pioneering student-led CubeSat projects!
Under the visionary mentorship of Dr. Mylswamy Annadurai and in collaboration with Edutech4Space, our students have turned classroom concepts into cutting-edge satellite technology. From system integration to real-time satellite tracking and software-defined radio experiments — this milestone is a giant leap in hands-on aerospace education. Now heading into Phase-4: Environmental Testing and Flight Readiness, MAHASAT reflects the future of experiential learning and space innovation in the UAE.
Student Spotlight
AR Meets Biotech: Kanisha's Winning Innovation
A big congratulations to Ms. Kanisha Mahaveer Jain, our first-year B.E. Biotechnology student, for making BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus proud at the Ideathon University Competition hosted by Khaleej Times and Talrop!
Her project, “BIOReality: Augmented Reality Biotech Labs,” stood out among more than 50 entries from universities across the UAE. The concept blended innovation with practicality, offering a fresh perspective on how AR can transform biotechnology education. Kanisha is proof of what passion and perseverance can achieve. We're proud to call her one of our own.
Faculty Spotlight
Prof. Nitin Sharma Joins BIS Working Group on Space Systems
We are pleased to share that Prof. Nitin Sharma, Associate Dean, Alumni Relations Division, BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, has been appointed as an Expert in the working group under TED XX/YY by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). In this role, Prof. Sharma will contribute to the development of international standards for GNSS-based positioning systems under ISO/AB 12345-1, with a focus on space system engineering.
This prestigious appointment reflects his deep expertise and BITS Pilani’s growing role in shaping global standards in emerging technologies. Congratulations to Prof. Nitin Sharma on this well-deserved recognition. We wish him continued success in this impactful endeavor.
Alumni Spotlight
BITSPilani alumni behind India’s safety innovation just made it to Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia
Congratulations to Mr. Kausthub Kaundinya Y , Mr. Sreekanth Kommula, and Mr. Anand Kumar alumni of BITS Pilani and IIM and founders of Jarsh Safety, featured in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia – Class of 2025 under Industry, Manufacturing & Energy. Mr. Sreekanth Kommula and Mr. Anand Kumar completed their master’s through BITS Pilani Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP), applying real-time learning to real-world challenges.
Jarsh Safety, based in Hyderabad, builds smart, wearable safety gear that’s already protecting 23,000+ workers across industries. Their mission: to make safety smarter, not just safer. Engineered in India. Empowering industries worldwide.
Suhane Pal
BITSAA at 25: Together Then. Together Now
BITSAA has completed 25 glorious years—25 Years. 3 Founders. And a community unlike any other. What began as a simple act of kindness between BITSians has grown into a lifeline of support, trust, and belonging. The Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani Alumni Association (BITSAA)—founded by Mr. Anupendra Sharma, Mr. Venu Palaparthi, and Mr. Sandeep Arora has grown into a global network of thousands who continue to carry the spirit of BITS with warmth and pride.
Through scholarships, research support, mentorship, and meaningful conversations, BITSAA has quietly changed lives. Behind every initiative is not just generosity—but a deep sense of connection and responsibility. A willingness to lift someone up. A belief that every student deserves the best possible chance. Even after leaving campus, our alumni have continued to stay close—to the institute, to its people, and to the values that shaped them.
No other institute in India is held together by an alumni network this committed, this thoughtful. For every act of support—seen or unseen—for every future they've helped shape—we are truly grateful. This isn’t just a celebration. It’s a reflection of the bond that defines us.
Events Gallery
BITS Pilani, IIT Madras & UltraTech Cement Secure ₹34 Cr Grant to Advance Carbon Capture Innovation
BITS Pilani, in collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, Madras and UltraTech Cement, has received a collaborative grant of ~₹34 crores.
₹25 crores from the Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, and the remaining amount from industry partner UltraTech Cement marking a significant step in India’s industrial decarbonization efforts.
Recognizing the critical need to decarbonize the cement sector, DST had launched a call to mobilize Academia-Industry consortia for Carbon Capture Utilization (CCU) technologies. This special call aimed to develop and deploy CCU test beds with integrated CO₂ capture and utilization units in industrial setups through a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. Five CCU test beds have been approved each combining top research institutions and cement manufacturers. As part of this initiative, BITS Pilani, IIT Madras, and UltraTech Cement will set up a 1 TPD pilot plant for CO₂ capture coupled with and mineralization.
The official announcement was made on Technology Day, May 11, 2025, at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre, New Delhi, with Dr Jitendra Singh , Honorable Minister of Science and Technology, and Minister of Earth Sciences GOI presenting the awards. The award was received by Prof. Manu Santhanam (IIT Madras), Dr Raju Goyal (Executive President & CTO, UltraTech Cement), and Prof. Srinivas Krishnaswamy (Lead PI for BITS Pilani from K K Birla Goa campus).
Also present: Prof. Satyapaul Singh (BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus), Dr. Surender Singh (IIT Madras), Prof. Pratik Sheth (BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus) This success was made possible by the dedication of the following other members of the BITS Pilani team across all campuses:
Pilani: Prof. Subhasis Pradhan, Prof. Smita Raghuvanshi Goa: Prof. Dr. RANJIT S. PATIL, Prof. Devendra Patil, Ph.D., Prof. Neena Goveas, Prof. Dr. Narendra Nath Ghosh, FRSC Hyderabad: Prof. Srikanta Dinda, Prof. Dr. Vikranth K. Surasani , Prof. Srinivas Appari, Prof. Raghuram Ammavajjala., Prof. Anasua GuhaRay. Special thanks to Prof. R. R. Sonde bits for his mentorship and guidance. Appreciation to Prof. Manu Santhanam and the IIT Madras team for coordinating with DST on behalf of entire team.
Thanks to Dr. Anita Gupta, Dr. Neelima Alam, Dr. Sanjai Kumar, and the DST team for their support. Gratitude to Mr. Raj Narayanan (Business Head and Chief Manufacturing Officer, Ultratech Cement) and Dr. Ram Narayanan, Sagar Gulawani and Dr. Prakash Mathur from ABSTC Company Limited for their inputs.
BITS TECH FESTIVAL 2025 Kicks Off with Grand Inauguration
The BITS Tech Festival 2025 was officially inaugurated by Prof. Souri Banerjee, Director of BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus, marking the start of one of the most anticipated annual events on campus.
This year, the festival was held in two distinct phases. The first, featured a series of tech-based competitions and hands-on workshops tailored for school students across the UAE — aiming to spark early interest in STEM and nurture young innovators. The second phase, shifted the spotlight to university-level events, offering college students a platform to showcase their creativity, problem-solving abilities, and technical prowess.
As a recurring flagship event, the BITS Tech Festival continues to foster a vibrant culture of innovation, collaboration, and learning within and beyond the BITS community
BITS Pilani Goa Hosts Russian Officials to Boost International Partnerships
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani - Goa Campus hosted H.E. Mr. Ivan Fetisov, Consul General of Russia in Mumbai, Vice Consul Matvei Fetisov, and officials to discuss academic collaboration with Russian universities.
They were welcomed by Campus Director Prof. Suman Kundu Director BITS Pilani - K.K. Birla Goa Campus, along with Prof. Srikanth Mutnuri (University-Wide Dean, IPCD), Prof. Rajesh Mehrotra (Associate Dean, IPCD), and Prof. Rudra Prasad Pradhan (Incoming Associate Dean, IPCD), along with senior faculty and department heads.
The visit focused on student and faculty exchange, joint research, and strengthening international academic partnerships.
Awards
Celebrating Excellence: BITS Pilani Alumni Awards 2025
BITS Pilani is proud to honour its outstanding alumni whose achievements continue to inspire generations and shape industries, academia, public life, and society at large. The BITS Alumni Awards 2025 celebrate individuals who exemplify the values of innovation, leadership, and service. Congratulations to all the awardees.
Innovation & Collaboration
BITS Pilani and University of Manchester Partner to Transform and Drive Next-Gen STEM Learning
On May 19, 2025, BITS Pilani signed a strategic MoU with The University of Manchester at its Hyderabad Campus,
Aimed at transforming STEM education through dual degrees, collaborative research, and global academic mobility—aligned with India’s NEP 2020. JNCASR, Bengaluru, will also serve as a key research partner, enabling co-supervised PhDs and access to global research funding.
The University of Manchester delegation was led by Prof. Stephen Flint, International, along with Prof. Aravind V., Prof. Radha Boya, and other senior leaders. The BITS team was represented by Group Vice Chancellor Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Hyderabad Campus Director Prof. Soumyo Mukherji, and other academic leaders. A driving force behind this visionary collaboration was Prof. A.P. Singh, Dean of Academics, whose efforts were instrumental in shaping this partnership and aligning it with BITS Pilani’s strategic academic vision.
Highlights: ✔️ Dual/joint degree programs ✔️ Faculty and student exchange ✔️ Collaborative research with global funding ✔️ Tech-enabled, future-ready education Prof. Flint called it “a significant step in co-creating high-quality science and engineering programs with India’s premier private institution.” Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao added, “This collaboration empowers students to think beyond boundaries and address global challenges.”
BITS Goa Boosts Deep-Tech Research with New Semiconductor & Flexible Electronics Labs
On 15th May 2025, the Department of EEE BITS Pilani K.K.Birla Goa Campus inaugurated two advanced research labs: the Semiconductor Research Lab and the Flexible Electronics Lab.
The labs were inaugurated by Prof. Suman Kundu, Director BITS Pilani - K.K. Birla Goa Campus, who officiated the ribbon-cutting ceremonies for both labs. The event was attended by Prof. Meenal Kowshik (Dean – Administration), faculty members, and PhD scholars.
This initiative has been spearheaded by the HoD and faculty members of the Department of EEE, with Prof. A Amalin Prince Head of the Department, EEE playing a key role in the successful setup, further strengthening the department’s strong research culture.The Semiconductor Lab supports research in wide/ultrawide bandgap devices, MEMS/NEMS, spintronics, biosensors, gas sensors, power device reliability, and memristors.
The Flexible Electronics Lab focuses on e-skin, wearable sensors, soft BCIs, energy harvesters, and printed energy storage devices. With robust academic programs and a vibrant research ecosystem, the Department of EEE continues to drive innovation across emerging interdisciplinary domains.
Advancing National Security through a Landmark Industry-Academia Collaboration!
We are proud to announce that BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with L&T Technology Services (LTTS) on 16th May 2025,
Marking a major milestone in fostering cutting-edge innovation, impactful research, and advanced skill development in the National Security domain.
The MoU, to be operated through our Center for Research, Excellence in National Security (CRENS), brings together the strengths of academia and industry to address key security challenges in areas such as law enforcement, perimeter security, and cybersecurity.
The signing ceremony was graced by:
🔹 Prof. Soumyo Mukherji, Director, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus
🔹 Shri JVS Ramakrishna, Global Head, LTTS
🔹 Prof. Mulakaluri Rama Manohara Babu, Head, CRENS
🔹 Prof. Sanket Goel, Dean R&I
🔹 Prof. Sabareesh Geetha Rajasekharan, Head, Mechanical Engineering Department
🔹 Prof. Amrita Priyadarshini, Associate Head, CRENS
🔹 DR. JAY DAVE, Computer Science Department
🔹 Sri Anvesh Theerdala, LTTS
𝐊𝐞𝐲 𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐞:
✅ Research projects, capacity building, and joint publications
✅ Skill development courses, workshops, and innovation bootcamps
✅ Mentorship for startups, advisory boards, and technology transfer
✅ Infrastructure and resource sharing, and talent acquisition
This partnership is one of the most significant steps forward since the establishment of CRENS and reflects our shared commitment to strengthening the nation's security infrastructure through sustainable, knowledge-driven solutions.
BITS Pilani Dubai and Power n Sun Unite for Industry-Aligned Learning in Renewable Energy
Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani(BPDC) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Powernsun
Solar Components Distributors to enhance academia-industry collaboration in the fields of renewable energy and sustainability.
The MoU was signed during a formal ceremony held at BPDC on May 20, 2025. Representing BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus was Senior Professor Souri Banerjee, Director of BPDC, while Mr.L K Verma, Founder and Managing Director of Power n Sun, signed on behalf of the company.
The event was coordinated by Prof. Shazia Hasan, Associate Professor in the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. The ceremony was also attended by:
Prof. abdul rajak Razak, Head of the Department, EEE
Prof. Ananth Bharadwaj, EEE Department
Prof. Vincent Shantha Kumar, PhD S. Kumar, Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department
Prof. Shashank Khurana, Ph.D., Associate Dean of the International Programmes and Collaboration Division (IPCD)
Alongside key delegates from Power n Sun
Key Focus Areas of the MoU:
Joint organization of academic and industry events
Curriculum development
Infrastructure and lab enhancement
Research collaborations
Student internships and training
Development of academic initiatives to foster innovation and strengthen industry-academia synergy
This strategic partnership marks a significant milestone in advancing practical learning, innovation, and technological excellence through collaborative initiatives. About Power n Sun: Power n Sun is one of the region’s leading integrators and distributors of solar components, with a strong presence across Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia through 12 regional branches. The company has delivered over 2.3 GW of solar components in the past five years. Serving the residential, commercial, and industrial sectors, Power & Sun continues to empower communities through sustainable growth and innovative energy solutions.
