International Programmes and Collaborations

International Programmes and Collaboration Division (IPCD) – BITS Pilani

Division Contact Details
Contact Name
Prof. Sailaja Nandigama
Designation
Associate Dean
Phone
+91-1596-515700
Email
associatedean.ipcd@pilani.bits-pilani.ac.in

Overview

Mission

BITS Pilani came into existence as a Deemed-to-be University under Sec 3 of the UGC Act in the year 1964.  In its formative years, the Institute tied up with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Boston, USA.  It adopted a semester system, modular structure of courses, continuous and internal evaluation, letter grading and the like.  It also created linkages with the industries which yielded structured “Practice Schools” as an integral component of education. To make further inroads in terms of collaborative participation in research and teaching, Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) have been signed with various Universities/Industries at home and abroad.  This would strengthen educational and research linkages, and exchange of faculty and students exchange with an aim to achieve state-of-the-art infrastructure facilities in various fields of Engineering and Science.

An International Programmes and Collaboration Division (IPCD) has been set up with representation in all four campuses of BITS Pilani, to promote relations with renowned Institutions abroad. Students of BITS Pilani have been pursuing Off-campus Thesis / Semester Abroad programs in foreign universities/ institutes ranked in the first 400 by QS and THE (Times Higher Education).  

BITS Pilani has collaborations with several reputed overseas universities and industries. 

Roles / Responsibilities

The international collaborations team at BITS Pilani plays a vital role in building strong partnerships with top global universities and leading industries. These partnerships help bring international exposure and new learning opportunities to the students and faculty. By connecting with prestigious institutions and organizations around the world, the team supports BITS Pilani’s vision of being a globally recognized institute in education, research, and innovation.

One of the most important tasks of the team is to enable students to take part in Off-campus Thesis and Semester Abroad programs. The programs are available at world-ranked institutions—those ranked among the Top 400 according to QS and Times Higher Education (THE) rankings. Through studying or research at such institutions, students achieve meaningful global exposure, enhance their perspectives, and acquire skills that make them ready for global careers.

To enhance scholarly and research life, the group actively fosters faculty and student exchanges. These initiatives enable BITS students and teachers to spend time at partner institutions and reciprocally, for mutual cross-cultural learning, collaborative research, and pedagogical innovation. To institutionalize and nurture these partnerships, the group enters into Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with the best institutions in India and overseas, establishing long-term research, teaching, and development-based relationships.

Operating across all four BITS Pilani campuses—Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, and Dubai—the team is committed to promoting global engagement and cooperation. Their ultimate goal is to help create world-class infrastructure, expand global opportunities for students and faculty, and strengthen BITS Pilani’s reputation in the fields of Engineering and Science at an international level. Through their efforts, the institute is steadily advancing toward becoming a hub of global academic excellence.