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 are delighted to present the June 2026 edition of Campus Connect, capturing a month defined by global academic milestones, scientific breakthroughs, inspiring alumni achievements, and a vibrant culture of student excellence.

This past month was marked by significant strides in innovation, research, and community engagement. From BITS Pilani rising 93 places in the global QS World University Rankings 2027 to the landmark MoU with the University of Michigan and the groundbreaking quantum computing achievement listing BITS Goa on the Quantum Advantage Tracker, the month reflected the institute's growing impact across diverse domains. We also celebrate the accomplishments of our alumni, including Dhruva Space's ₹105 crore funding milestone for Project Garud and the global recognition of InnAccel's Fetal Lite device. Student-led initiatives across our active clubs, from Srutilaya's World Music Day celebration to Wall Street Club projects and Formula Bharat preparations, showcased the vibrant talent flourishing on campus.

The accomplishments of our students, faculty, and alumni stand as a testament to the values of excellence, curiosity, and perseverance that have always defined the BITS Goa community. As the academic year progresses, the momentum built this June continues to inspire all that lies ahead.

Inside This Edition

BITS Pilani Today: Institutional Updates

A 93-Place Rise: BITS Pilani Strengthens Its Global Standing in QS World University Rankings 2027

BITS Pilani rose 93 places to 575th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2027, while retaining its position as the highest ranked private institution in India for Employment Outcomes for the fourth consecutive year. The institute also recorded significant improvements in Employer Reputation, Research Impact, Citations per Faculty, and Sustainability, reflecting its continued commitment to excellence in education, research, innovation, and industry engagement.

BITS Pilani rankings certificate / graphics.

BITS Goa's Quantum Breakthrough Shakes Up the Global Race

BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus made quantum computing history as a research team led by Prof. Indrakshi Raychowdhury, along with graduate students Fran Ilčić, Emil Mathew, and Md Osama Ali, became the first Indian institution to be listed on the Quantum Advantage Tracker. In collaboration with IBM Quantum, the team demonstrated a quantum computation that completed in 20 seconds, compared to up to two and a half hours on classical high performance computers.

This landmark achievement showcased the institute’s leadership in quantum research and highlighted the growing global impact of BITS Goa’s scientific contributions.

Prof. Indrakshi Raychowdhury and her research team.

PhD DRIVE Puts Deep Tech Entrepreneurship at the Heart of Doctoral Research

BITS Pilani launched PhD DRIVE, a doctoral programme designed for deep tech researchers, innovators, and aspiring technology entrepreneurs. The programme combined advanced research with entrepreneurship by offering monthly fellowships, seed funding for prototype development, incubation support, and mentorship from industry leaders. It also enabled scholars to build and launch startups during their doctoral journey, strengthening the institute's innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem.

A Triple No. 1 Finish for BITS Pilani in THE WEEK Hansa University Rankings

BITS Pilani was ranked No. 1 in three categories in the THE WEEK Hansa Research National Survey 2026: Private and Deemed Technical Universities (All India), Deemed Technical Universities (All India), and Deemed Technical Universities North Zone. The recognition, presented at the THE WEEK Education Conclave 2026 in New Delhi, reflected the institute’s sustained commitment to academic excellence and quality education.

BITS Pilani and Axis Bank MoU signing ceremony.

Axis Bank’s ₹100 Crore Innovation Park Powers BITS Pilani’s Next Big Leap

BITS Pilani signed an MoU with Axis Bank on 17 June 2026 to establish the Axis Bank BITS Industry Research Technology and Innovation Park at its Hyderabad Campus, backed by a ₹100 crore CSR grant. Spread across 120,000 sq. ft., the facility was designed to foster industry-academia collaboration, translational research, startup incubation, and technology commercialization, strengthening India’s lab-to-market innovation ecosystem.

BITS Pilani Signs Landmark MoU With the University of Michigan

BITS Pilani signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, to strengthen collaboration in education and scientific research. The partnership established opportunities for student and faculty exchanges, internships, joint research, academic events, and knowledge sharing across both institutions. By promoting global learning and innovation, the agreement reinforced BITS Pilani’s commitment to expanding meaningful international partnerships and advancing academic excellence.

University of Michigan collaborative agreement.

Beyond the Classroom: Club Highlights

World Music Day Comes Alive With Vid. Moumita Mitra’s Hindustani Khayal

Srutilaya, the Classical Music Club of BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus, hosted an online lecture-demonstration on 28 June 2026 featuring Vid. Moumita Mitra, a renowned Hindustani vocalist and a Top Grade Artist of All India Radio. The session introduced students to the improvisation in khayal, voice culture, and the nuances of raag angas in Hindustani Classical Music.

The interactive lecture offered insights into the complex and artistic aspects of classical music, providing students with a learning experience while creating a deeper appreciation for India's musical heritage.

Vid. Moumita Mitra's Hindustani Classical demonstration.

Google Hardware Interns Aditya Srivastava and Aditya Phatak.

SIP Talk Brings Google Hardware Interns’ Insights on Electronics and Hardware Careers

The Student Alumni Relations Cell (SARC) BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus organized the SIP Talk: Electronics Edition on 6 June 2026. The online meeting featured Aditya Srivastava and Aditya Phatak, Hardware Engineering interns at Google, who shared their internship experiences and advice on careers in the electronics and hardware domain.

The session provided students with practical insights on internship preparation, recruitment processes, and career opportunities in hardware engineering.

Quant Trading and FX Forecasting Take Center Stage in Wall Street Club’s Summer Projects

The Wall Street Club, BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus undertook two quantitative finance projects during the summer. Members developed a mean reversion pairs trading strategy for Indian equities using statistical arbitrage techniques and also analysed a research paper comparing statistical and machine learning models for foreign exchange forecasting.

These projects enhanced the students’ understanding of quantitative trading, financial modelling, and data-driven decision making.

SoFI’s Summer Series Builds Finance and Investing Foundations for 350 Students

The Society of Finance and Investing (SoFI), BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus held its Summer Series to promote financial literacy and investing. The programme attracted nearly 350 participants from 15 colleges, including the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Bangalore, providing learners with a strong foundation in finance and investing.

MuSoc session preparation.

MuSoc Tunes Up for Overdrive and Jazz Night With Skill-Building Summer Assignments

The Music Society (MuSoc), BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus kept members engaged over the summer through assignments aimed at improving their musical skills. The club also began preparations for its upcoming events, Overdrive and Jazz Night, setting the stage for an exciting semester of performances and music.

From Zari and Lamani to Jawahar Navodaya: Nirmaan’s Education Efforts Deliver JNVST 2026 Achievers

Nirmaan, BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus achieved a record milestone as 26 students from the Zari and Lamani slums cleared the Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Selection Test (JNVST) 2026. The chapter also expanded its Joy of Reading Programme through online storytelling sessions and grammar modules, further improving educational opportunities for underprivileged children.

Students celebrating clearing the JNVST.

Team GigaWatt EV Race Car design.

Team GigaWatt E11 Powers Ahead to Formula Bharat 2027 With Advanced EV Design

Team GigaWatt, BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus registered as Team GigaWatt E11 for Formula Bharat 2027, securing Tier 1 status. The team advanced the design of key vehicle subsystems, including the battery, powertrain, chassis, and electronics, while also holding a QSTP course on race car electronics and control systems to promote hands-on learning.

BITSkrieg Takes BITS Goa to the Global Cybersecurity Arena With International Qualifications

BITSkrieg, the cybersecurity club of BITS Pilani K.K. Birla Goa Campus, qualified for the HackTheon Sejong International Collegiate Cybersecurity Competition 2026 in South Korea and secured second place in the qualifiers for CTF@AC26, earning a spot at the international competition in Romania. These achievements reflected the club's continued brilliance in competitive cybersecurity.

BITSkrieg members at competition.

The Honor Roll: Student Achievements

BITS Goa Chess Team at Hong Kong.

Top-10 at the FIDE World Rapid Cup - A Royal Finish for BITS Goa

The BITS Goa Chess Team achieved an impressive 8th-place finish at the FIDE World Amateur Team Rapid Cup in Hong Kong, competing against some of the world’s strongest rapid chess players. Representing the institute on the global stage with exceptional skill and determination, the team’s performance marks a proud moment for the BITS Goa community and highlights its growing presence in international chess.

From Goa to Stuttgart: Blood Flow Maths Puts BITS on the Map

Debendra Prasad Panda, a Research Scholar in the Department of Mathematics, presented his research, "Symmetry Analysis of a Transport-Enhanced Blood Flow Model," at the 20th International Conference on Hyperbolic Problems: Theory, Numerics, and Applications (HYP2026), hosted by the University of Stuttgart, Germany. His participation was supported by the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), highlighting the department's growing contributions to international mathematical research.

Debendra Prasad Panda at HYP2026.

The selected cohort of EmpowHER Fellowship.

EmpowHER Fellowship Supercharges the Next Wave of BITS Women Leaders

Ten outstanding women students from the BITS Pilani campuses in Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad have been selected for the second cohort of the EmpowHER Fellowship Programme (2026-27). The flagship initiative, funded by BITS alumni Alagu Periyannan, Theivanai Palaniappan, Kartik Hosanaga and Prasanna Krishnan, empowers aspiring women leaders, innovators, entrepreneurs, researchers, and changemakers through mentorship, experiential learning, research, entrepreneurship, rural immersion, and community engagement.

The Bitsian Blueprint: Alumni Milestones

Dhruva Space's ₹105 Crore Milestone Fuels India's Indigenous Satellite Dreams

BITS Goa alumni Abhay Egoor, Krishna Teja Penamakuru, and Chaitanya Dora Surapureddy, co-founders of Dhruva Space, achieved a major milestone in 2026 by securing ₹105 crore in government funding for Project Garud, an initiative to develop India's indigenous 500 kg-class satellite platform. Their achievement marks a significant contribution to India's growing private space sector.

Dhruva Space satellite platform.

Niharika Tammara presenting at AI Labs.

How a BITS Goa Alumni Is Powering Generative AI at Dr. Reddy's

Niharika Tammara, a BITS Goa alumna and Principal of AI Labs at Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, delivered a session at BITS Pilani Hyderabad Campus in 2026, where she shared how Dr. Reddy's AI Labs leverages Generative AI and predictive analytics to solve real-world healthcare challenges. She also highlighted the role of interns in building impactful AI solutions, showcasing the growing influence of BITS Goa alumni in the AI and healthcare sectors.

Gates Foundation Backs InnAccel's AI Monitor Saving Newborn Lives

Founded by BITS Goa alumni Vibhav Joshi (2010) and Sumedh Kaulgud (2011), InnAccel received renewed recognition in 2026 for Fetal Lite, its AI-powered fetal monitoring device designed to detect childbirth complications early and improve maternal and neonatal outcomes. Backed by the Gates Foundation and recognized by global maternal health experts for its transformative potential, Fetal Lite exemplifies InnAccel's mission of developing affordable, high-impact medical technologies for emerging markets.

InnAccel's Fetal Lite device monitoring.

Dr. Swadesh Dixit at Applied Materials.

How a BITS Goa Alumnus Is Transforming Semiconductor Design Through AI

Dr. Swadesh Dixit is making significant contributions to semiconductor engineering at Applied Materials, where he leads AI-driven simulation and multiphysics analysis for advanced chip manufacturing equipment. His work has delivered over 50 engineering projects with a greater than 90% first-pass approval rate, reduced prototype development cycles by 30–40%, and led the company's nationwide cloud CAE migration initiative. His AI-physics research was recognized among the Top 5 projects nationally at Applied Materials' Digital Day 2026, and he currently has three U.S. invention disclosures in progress.

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From one BITSian to another

"Don't rush to specialize too early — the breadth I gained across mechanical engineering, CAD, and later fracture mechanics research turned out to be exactly what let me combine simulation, AI, and physics into a career at the intersection of all three. Say yes to the harder research problem even when it's slower going; the Ph.D. years of correlating XFEM models against real experiments (SEM, XRD, EIS) taught me more rigor than any single job would have. And stay curious about tools outside your core domain — learning Python and ML alongside traditional FEA is what let me cut analysis turnaround from days to hours. BITS gives you the foundation; the rest comes from staying a student of your field long after you've left campus."

— Dr. Swadesh Dixit Applied Materials • Lead AI-Physics Researcher

From BITS Goa to Oxford: Yashee Sinha’s Next Leap in Atomic Physics

Yashee Sinha has been awarded the prestigious Clarendon Fund Scholarship to pursue a DPhil in Atomic and Laser Physics at the University of Oxford, beginning this October. The highly competitive scholarship recognizes exceptional academic excellence and research potential, fully supporting outstanding graduate students from around the world. This achievement marks an exciting milestone in her research journey and reflects the global impact of BITS Goa alumni in cutting-edge scientific research.

Yashee Sinha, recipient of the Clarendon Fund Scholarship.

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.”

Connect With Us

Stay connected. Stay inspired. Follow the Student Alumni Relations Cell.

alumnirelations@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in | sarc@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in

The Campus Connect