BITS Pilani and UK India Business Council Partner to Enhance Research and Innovation in Academia and Industry

National, 5th November, 2024- The Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani has entered into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the UK India Business Council (UKIBC) to foster collaboration across research, academic-industry projects, transnational partnerships, and international student mobility. This partnership aims to strengthen academic ties and open new avenues for global knowledge exchange.

The MoU signing ceremony took place in the city office of BITS Pilani, Mumbai Campus. The meeting was attended by Mr. Richard McCallum, CEO of UKIBC, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani, and Prof. Ashish Bharadwaj, Founding Dean of BITS Law School. The collaboration is set to initiate new programs, including an annual outreach event for undergraduate and postgraduate students at BITS Pilani’s campuses to support increased student mobility between India and the UK. Mr Arun Khetan, CEO (non-academic functions) of BITS Mumbai and Mr Ravi Mishra, Chief HR Officer of BITS Pilani also attended the meeting.

Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani, remarked, “We are thrilled to formalize our partnership with the UK India Business Council. This MoU will create pathways for our students to engage with global educational and industry standards, fostering a truly transnational academic experience.”

This alliance underscores a commitment to advancing educational opportunities and promoting cross-border academic partnerships in new advances in engineering and computer science, pushing frontiers in deep-tech, and academic collaborations in management, law, and design. Through the MoU, BITS Pilani and UKIBC will share insights to drive innovation in academic and industry outreach.

Mr. Richard (Dickie) McCallum, CEO of UKIBC, added, “We look forward to a productive relationship with BITS Pilani. This partnership will not only facilitate knowledge exchange but also strengthen the connection between the UK and Indian educational ecosystems, benefiting students and industry leaders alike.”