BITS Alumni Relations

From the Alumni Relations Division Desk

Warm greetings from the Alumni Relations Division (ARD) and the Student Alumni Relations Cell (SARC) of BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus! We’re delighted to present the February 2026 edition of Campus Connect, capturing a month defined by achievement, innovation, and dynamic engagement across academics, sports, and global collaborations.

February at BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus was marked by an extraordinary confluence of excellence, from standout performances on national stages and prestigious individual accomplishments to landmark conferences, cutting edge research initiatives, and vibrant student led events. In this edition, we bring you highlights from the month, including remarkable victories at national competitions, the successful execution of flagship events such as QUARK and BITSMUN, pioneering workshops and symposiums in emerging domains, and significant institutional milestones such as global partnerships in cybersecurity.

We also celebrate the achievements of our students, faculty, and alumni who continue to push boundaries and bring pride to the BITS Goa community. Thank you for being an integral part of the BITS Pilani legacy. As we continue to build momentum into the year, we celebrate the ambition, resilience, and collaborative spirit that define the BITS Goa experience.

Alumni Updates

BITS Goa PhD Graduate Bags Prestigious Cancer Research Fellowship

Dr. Kumudini Paliwal, a PhD alumna of BITS Pilani K. K. Birla Goa Campus, has been awarded the prestigious Mizuho Postdoctoral Fellowship at Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), the research wing of the Tata Memorial Centre.

The Mizuho Postdoctoral Fellowship is a highly competitive award given to young researchers in cancer science. During her PhD at BITS Goa under Prof. Manjuri Kumar, Dr. Paliwal worked on developing and studying new metal based compounds with potential anti-cancer properties. She led projects on evaluating chemotherapeutic mechanisms, including DNA damage response and oxidative stress pathways.

Dr. Kumudini Paliwal at ACTREC.

Institute Updates

ASCML 2026 Hosted by the Department of Mathematics.

ASCML 2026 – Advanced Scientific Computing & Machine Learning

The Department of Mathematics at BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus successfully hosted ASCML 2026 from 10–12 February 2026. It featured invited talks, peer‑reviewed paper presentations and industry interactions on AI‑driven simulations, scientific computing, numerical methods, high‑performance computing and emerging hybrid AI–HPC architectures.

Susegad Symposium on Quantum Dynamics and Thermalization (SSQDT 2026)

BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus hosted the Susegad Symposium on Quantum Dynamics and Thermalization from 23–25 February 2026. The Physics Department brought together academics and industry pioneers to discuss quantum simulation, thermalisation, quantum chaos and lattice gauge theories, emphasising industry–academia collaboration in emerging quantum technologies.

SSQDT 2026.

BITS Pilani Goa Launches Cybersecurity Clinic with Global Partners

BITS Pilani Goa Campus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Asia Foundation to establish a Cybersecurity Clinic aimed at strengthening digital security and cyber awareness. Supported by Google.org, the initiative will focus on research, training and best practices in cybersecurity.

Led by Prof. Hemant Rathore, the clinic will emphasize cyber hygiene and globally aligned security standards. With this collaboration, BITS Pilani Goa becomes the first university in India to be supported under the Google Cybersecurity Initiative, marking a significant step in advancing cybersecurity education and research.

Nullcon 2026 Brings Asia’s Premier Cybersecurity Conference to Campus

Nullcon 2026, Asia’s leading cybersecurity conference, was hosted at BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus from 28 February to 1 March 2026, bringing together over 3,000 attendees, industry experts and student volunteers.

Organized by Information Security Media Group and Rahul Neel Mani, the event marked another successful collaboration with the institute since 2023. Coordinated by Prof. Kunal Korgaonkar, with support from Prof. Suman Kundu and Dean Administration Meenal Kowshik, the conference highlighted the institute’s growing prominence in the global cybersecurity community.

Student Achievements

BITS Goa Athletics Team at Revels'26

BITS Goa Athletics Team Wins Big at MIT Manipal Revels’26

BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus delivered an impressive performance at Revels 2026, MIT Manipal, with the athletics contingent securing multiple podium finishes across events.

Krishnan Bhagath clinched Gold in High Jump, while Kanav Nagpal secured Silver in the 5 km race and Bronze in Cross Country. Adding to the tally, Shivansh Goyal earned Bronze in Shot Put, and Abhimanyu Singh secured Bronze in 110m Hurdles, showcasing the team’s depth and versatility. This achievement highlighted the institute’s growing sporting excellence and competitive spirit. The BITS-Goa community congratulates the athletes on their outstanding performance.

Women’s Football Team Clinches Gold at Revels 2026

BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus achieved a remarkable sporting milestone as the Women’s Football Team secured Gold at Revels 2026, MIT Manipal. Demonstrating exceptional teamwork, skill, and determination, the team delivered a dominant performance throughout the tournament. Their victory highlighted the growing strength of women’s sports on campus.

Khushraj Rathod Wins Gold at IndiaSkills Maharashtra

BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus student Khushraj Rathod secured the Gold Medal in IT Network Systems Administration at IndiaSkills Maharashtra 2025–26. His achievement highlighted exceptional technical proficiency and problem-solving skills on a competitive platform. With this victory, he advanced to the IndiaSkills Regional Competition (West Region), taking a step closer to representing India at WorldSkills 2026.

Student Activities

Quark 2026 - Annual Technomanagement Fest

BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus hosted QUARK 2026, its flagship technical festival, under the theme “Quantum Insurgence.” The event brought together participants from top institutions nationwide, offering a platform for innovation across engineering, sciences and emerging technologies.

Featuring competitions, workshops, and high-energy events like the Drone Race, the fest blended academic rigor with vibrant campus life. QUARK 2026 once again reflected the institute’s spirit of innovation and excellence.

Quark 2026: Quantum Insurgence

Delegates engaging at BITSMUN Goa 2026.

BITSMUN 2026 Cultivates Global Dialogue

BITSMUN Goa took place from 6th-8th February 2026. The conference comprised 8 committees. Delegates from all over the country engaged in gruelling and fruitful debate.

BITS Pilani KK Birla Goa Campus was honoured to host Mr. Varun Sardesai as the ‘Guest of Honour’ and Dr. Lakshyaraj Singh Ji as the ‘Chief Guest’. This edition of BITSMUN Goa 2026 stood as a testament to the institute’s commitment to fostering dialogue, diplomacy, and global awareness.

Workshop on AI in Science and R&D Conducted

BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus, through its Institution’s Innovation Council (IIC), organized a workshop on the role of Artificial Intelligence in Science and Research & Development on 2nd February 2026. The session, led by Prof. Riju De, saw active participation from over 50 students and faculty members. Focusing on how AI can accelerate discovery and enhance research methodologies, the workshop highlighted the institute’s commitment to fostering innovation and interdisciplinary learning.

AI in Science and R&D Workshop Session

Closing Notes

As we move through a month filled with activity and achievement, it is equally important to recognise the quieter moments that keep us grounded. Progress is not always about pushing harder, it is also about knowing when to pause, reflect, and realign. Taking care of your mental well being allows you to show up with greater focus, energy, and purpose in everything you do.

Let us continue to build a campus environment where openness, understanding, and mutual support are part of everyday life, where reaching out and checking in becomes instinctive rather than occasional.

Every journey here is shared in some way, shaped by the people around us and the experiences we grow through together. Thank you for being a valued part of the BITSian community, one that continues to learn, support, and move forward together.

“As we continue to build momentum into the year, we celebrate the ambition, resilience, and collaborative spirit that define the BITS Goa experience.”

The Campus Connect