National, 27th September 2024 – BITS Pilani, a renowned institution known for its commitment to innovation has signed an MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) to collaborate on research, innovation, and skill development. The partnership is aimed at leveraging each institution’s strengths by conducting joint research at their facilities as well as through third-party collaborations, focusing on the key industry challenges and innovations in technology between the two premier institutions.

This MoU will outline cooperation in facilitating positive scholarly and industrial interaction, as well as knowledge transfer and developing technology according to societal challenges. The aims of collaboration are mainly in the form of a joint research project, consultancy, student internships, faculty exchanges, and developing modern technologies.

The collaboration between BITS Pilani and IIT Bombay targets the most important objectives: upgrading knowledge management, further development of technology, and upskilling human resources by providing continuous education. The MoU will enable research collaborations; consultancy in industry-focused areas; internships to students; and collective applications for funding of research. Both institutes will focus on ecosystem development, which will involve close collaboration between academia and industry by hosting visiting faculty and forming precompetitive consortia for research in emerging technologies.

Speaking on the collaboration, Professor Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, said, “This MoU bridges academia and industry, opening new doors for research, skill development, and innovation. Together, we look forward to providing ample opportunities to our students so that they are all set to succeed in the future with the emergence of pharma, healthcare, and engineering”.

Professor Shireesh Kedare, Director of IIT Bombay, added, “This collaboration between IIT Bombay and BITS Pilani will bring the best minds from two of India’s top-ranked institutions together. We look forward to pioneering research projects that address real-world challenges and contribute to the nation’s growth.

Prof. Soumyo Mukherji, Director, BITS Pilani, Hyderabad Campus commenting on this MoU said, “it marks a significant step in strengthening the collaboration between BITS Pilani and IIT Bombay. Tomorrow, we will build upon this foundation with an MoU between the Society for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (SINE) at IIT Bombay and the Technology Business Incubator (TBI) at BITS Pilani, further advancing the startup and incubation ecosystems at both institutions. Known for producing unicorns and nurturing a vibrant startup culture, this partnership will provide a boost to entrepreneurial innovation and development at both campuses.”

This collaboration would help enhance India’s knowledge economy, and such would eventually feed into the societal development, industry-ready talent building, and innovation at both national and global levels.