Science Should Meet Society: Dr Chandrachud highlights in BITS Pilani Convocation; KM Birla announces new AI campus in Amrawati

Sunday was a day to remember for BITS Pilani students, marked by a memorable convocation ceremony filled with special moments and highlights.

Pilani (Jhunjhunu): Today's science and engineering students have a dual role: mastering technical skills while becoming responsible citizens. Who harness technology to promote inclusivity, justice, and dignity for all, especially the marginalized.

Former Chief Justice of the country Dr DY Chandrachud said this while addressing the convocation organized at BITS Pilani on Sunday as the Chief Guest.

Addressing a large number of students, Dr Chandrachud said, 'We live in a society that is completely dependent on science and technology, but where most people have no knowledge of science and technology. This ignorance makes technology a one-sided power, with limited public participation. Today bridging this gap is the most urgent social responsibility.'

He further added, just like any form of power, technology has the dual capacity to either bridge gaps and connect people or create divisions and exclude them.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor of BITS Pilani and renowned industrialist of the country, announced an investment of Rs 2,200 crore in BITS Pilani. Under this investment, the total capacity of the institute will be increased, state-of-the-art AI (Artificial Intelligence) centers will be set up and a new edtech platform ‘BITS Pilani Digital’ will be launched.

He also informed that the group will set up a new AI campus in Amaravati, Andhra Pradesh, as well as modernise the infrastructure of existing campuses located in Pilani, Hyderabad and Goa.

The group has launched a Rs 1,200 crore initiative under “Project Vistaar”, which aims to expand and modernize all three campuses. New research blocks, hostels and faculty housing are also planned under this project. The student capacity will be increased from the current 18,700 to 26,000 in the next five years.

Dr Chandrachud and Birla also visited Saraswati Mandir at Pilani. The special thing about this temple is that the statues of religious great men as well as philosophers, scientists, national and global leaders are engraved on its outer walls.

The institute's online education platform, 'BITS Pilani Digital', was officially launched during a ceremony attended by esteemed dignitaries, including Vice Chancellor Prof Ramgopal Rao and Director Prof Sudhir Kumar.