Aditya Birla Group Kumar chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla, who is also the chancellor of BITS Pilani, on July 13 announced an investment of Rs 2,200 crore for three major initiatives that include the launch of a state-of-the-art AI campus at Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh, expansion and modernisation of existing campuses under Project Vistaar and unveiling of edtech platform BITS Pilani Digital.
The announcement came during the convocation ceremony of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) in Pilani on July 13. The convocation ceremony also marked the presence of former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud.
Out of Rs 2,200 crore, around Rs 1,219 crore, will be invested to expand and modernise BITS campuses under Project Vistaar, while approximately Rs 1,000 crore will be invested for the new AI campus in Amravati.
“The latest initiatives reflect our continued commitment to reimagining higher education in both physical and digital realms. These efforts are not just about scale but also about building a transformative ecosystem that empowers learners, nurtures innovation, and fuels inclusive growth.
They will also help lay the foundation for India’s knowledge economy, aligned with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a trillion-dollar academic ecosystem, and preparing the nation for a digital, global future,” Birla said.
Speaking on the occasion, Birla said that for over six decades, BITS Pilani has been synonymous with academic excellence, pioneering innovation, and nation building.
“Through its unwavering focus on quality education and values-driven leadership, the institute has nurtured generations of professionals, thinkers, and entrepreneurs who have played an important role in shaping India’s growth story on the global stage,” he said.
Envisioned as a next-generation innovation hub, the newly announced AI+ Campus at Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, will spread across 35 acres. It will offer undergraduate twinning programs, cotutelle doctoral degrees with top global institutions, and master’s programs in AI/ML, innovation, and strategy.
Designed for agility and impact, the campus will feature an Experiential and Adaptive Curriculum, an Entrepreneurship-First Approach, and Flexible Learning Paths.
The campus will be developed in two phases. Phase 1 will support 3,000 students, focusing on core academics and student life; Phase 2 will scale capacity to over 7,000, adding advanced research centers, global collaboration zones, and dedicated entrepreneurship hubs, built using sustainable, modular infrastructure for scalability and efficiency.
Under Project Vistaar, BITS Pilani has committed Rs 1,219 crore, to expand and upgrade infrastructure across its Pilani, Goa, and Hyderabad campuses. The initiative will enhance long-term research capabilities, improve student experience, and foster global partnerships.
It includes Rs 60 crore for upgrading undergraduate laboratories to world-class standards. The student intake across campuses is projected to increase from over 18,700 to approximately 26,000 by academic year 2030–31.
V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said that focus at BITS Pilani has always been to stay ahead of the curve, whether in academic innovation, global research collaboration, or student experience.
“With these new initiatives, we are reaffirming our vision to create an institution that is responsive to the world’s changing needs, deeply connected to industry, and driven by a spirit of purpose and excellence. These efforts will not only scale the impact of BITS Pilani but also set new standards in how higher education can serve society at large,” he said.
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