BITS Pilani, IISc Bengaluru Partner to Boost Research and Academic Excellence
28 June 2025: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, an institute of eminence, has announced the signing of an MoU with the prestigious Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru. This strategic partnership aims to advance academic and research collaborations, bringing together two of India’s premier institutions to drive innovation, facilitate knowledge sharing, and jointly develop cutting-edge advancements in science and technology.
The MoU outlines a broad framework for cooperation, including conducting joint research projects, organizing symposia and workshops, exchanging researchers and students, and developing cooperative educational programs spanning undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral levels. The collaboration also includes leveraging IISc’s state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Centre for Nano Science and Engineering (CeNSE), to support BITS Pilani’s research initiatives. The MoU was signed by Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani and Prof Govindan Rangarajan, Director, IISc, Bengaluru in the presence of Prof Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus and Prof Radhika Vathsan, Dean of Undergraduate Studies, BITS Pilani, Prof. Shankar Kumar Selvaraja, CeNSE-IISc, Prof. Sushobhan Avasthi CeNSE-IISc ,Prof. Supradeepa V. R CeNSE-IISc and Prof.Dhavala Suri CeNSE-IISc.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Rao, BITS Pilani, said, “This partnership with IISc marks a significant milestone in our journey toward academic and research excellence. By combining the strengths of both institutions, we aim to address critical challenges in science and technology while nurturing a new generation of innovators and researchers.”
Prof Rangarajan from IISc added, “Collaborations like this are essential to drive impactful research and innovation. We are excited to create opportunities for knowledge exchange and to jointly contribute to solving some of the most pressing scientific and societal challenges.”
The MoU also emphasizes intellectual property (IP) management, ensuring that jointly developed innovations are protected and utilized effectively. Both institutions will work together to seek funding opportunities and publish research findings, further strengthening their contributions to India’s academic and industrial ecosystems.
The agreement formalizes years of engagements between two of India’s premier Institutes of Eminence, with IISc as the leading research university in the country and BITS Pilani as the leading private university in India. This partnership is expected to set a benchmark for inter-institutional collaboration in India, paving the way for transformative advancements in education and research over the coming years.