BITS Pilani’s K K Birla Goa Campus conferred degrees on 1,109 graduating students at its Convocation 2026, marking another milestone in the institute’s efforts to nurture engineers, scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs equipped for global careers.
The convocation was graced by Rakesh Kumar Verma, Co-Founder and Chairman & Managing Director of MapmyIndia and a distinguished BITS Pilani alumnus, as the chief guest.
The ceremony was presided over by Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, in the presence of Prof. Suman Kundu, Director, BITS Pilani K K Birla Goa Campus, members of the Board of Governors, faculty, students and their families.
The graduating cohort included 674 First Degree, 257 Dual Degree, 121 Higher Degree (M.E.) and 57 PhD students, reflecting the campus’s contribution to developing skilled professionals and researchers across disciplines.
BITSians drive deep-tech entrepreneurship
BITS Pilani, Group Vice Chancellor, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, said, “As our graduates begin their next chapter, I hope they carry forward the spirit of curiosity, integrity and excellence that defines BITS Pilani.”
He said the campus is evolving through a curriculum redesign featuring flexible, cross-disciplinary electives and expanded minors, as expertise in a single discipline is increasingly insufficient to address complex challenges.
“The graduates who will matter most are those who can move fluidly across disciplines,” Rao added.
He highlighted the entrepreneurial achievements of BITS alumni, noting that BITSians have founded 140 deep-tech startups, which he said is more than alumni of any other Indian institution, ahead of IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi.
“Building excellence, ensuring equity, and expanding with purpose—that is the vision guiding BITS Pilani, and the same vision I hope our graduates carry into whatever they build next,” Rao said.
Academic excellence recognised
Outstanding academic performance was recognised through medals across the graduating cohorts.
Among First Degree graduates, Shamit Khetan received the Gold Medal, Vrishti Deepak Godhwani the Silver Medal and Aditya Ashok Tailor the Bronze Medal.
Among Higher Degree students, Sumit Sakharam Ghodke and Rudraksh Alias Bhagwant Mukund Suryarao Sardesai jointly received the Gold Medal, while Vignesh A and Neelima M shared the Silver Medal.
The convocation also recognised research and overall student excellence. Dr. Madduri Madhuri received the Prof. Suman Kapur Memorial Best PhD Thesis Award 2026.
The Prof. Raghurama Outstanding Student Award 2025–26 was presented to Aarya Ameet Agavekar, Himangi Aggarwal and Shamit Khetan for their academic achievements and contributions to the institute.
MapmyIndia chief urges graduates to embrace AI responsibly
Addressing the graduating class, MapmyIndia, Co-Founder & CMD, Rakesh Kumar Verma, said, “I congratulate the graduating class on this occasion.”
“As you step into a world of endless possibilities, remember that your ability to adapt, remain resilient and keep moving forward will matter as much as your technical knowledge,” Verma said.
He urged graduates to use artificial intelligence as a tool while retaining human judgment and curiosity.
“Build your careers with humility and purpose, and remember that success is not only about what you achieve for yourself, but also about the value you create for others,” Verma added.
New programmes target emerging technologies
The Goa campus expanded its academic portfolio during the year with a co-tutelage 2+2 undergraduate programme in Computer Science with RMIT University, Australia.
It also introduced two new M.E. programmes in Quantum Science and Technology and Quantum Information Processing, besides launching a Minor in Computing and Intelligence.
The new programmes are aimed at preparing students for emerging technology domains and strengthening interdisciplinary learning.
BITS Pilani, K K Birla Goa Campus, Director, Prof. Suman Kundu, said, “Convocation is not only a celebration of our students’ academic achievements but also a reaffirmation of BITS Pilani’s commitment to nurturing leaders, innovators, and responsible global citizens.”
“The graduating class of 2026 leaves the campus equipped with the knowledge, skills, and values to address complex challenges and create meaningful impact across industries, research, entrepreneurship, and society,” Kundu added.
Research funding crosses ₹30 crore
The campus also recorded significant growth in research activity during the academic year, securing 91 sponsored projects worth more than ₹30.72 crore from government agencies, industry and international collaborators.
Faculty research covered areas including green hydrogen, quantum technologies, advanced semiconductor devices and indigenous navigation systems.
The campus produced 720 research publications, supported by national and international collaborations.
To strengthen its research ecosystem, the institute has established new interdisciplinary research centres and expanded facilities including AR/VR, Biomedical Engineering, Impact Engineering and Micro-Fabrication laboratories.
A BSL-2 facility has also been established for biosciences research, while the AICTE IDEA Lab, for which an outlay of ₹90 lakh has been approved, is expected to promote innovation, product development and entrepreneurship among students.