Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani

About Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani

The institute was founded by Ghanshyam Das Birla in 1929. Initially it was as an intermediate college. During World War II, the Government of India established a technical training center at Pilani for the supply of technicians for defence services and industry. In 1946, it was converted into the Birla Engineering College with degree programmes in electrical and mechanical engineering

The (BITS), Pilani is an all-India Institute for higher education. The primary motive of BITS is to "train young men and women able and eager to create and put into action such ideas, methods, techniques and information". The Institute is a dream come true of its founder late Mr G.D.Birla - an eminent industrialist, a participant in Indian freedom struggle and a close associate of the Father of Indian Nation late Mr. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (Mahatma Gandhi). What started in early 1900s as a small school, blossomed into a set of colleges for higher education, ranging from the Humanities to Engineering until 1964 when all these colleges amalgamated to culminate into a unique Indian University of International standing. This university was christened as the Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani, known to many as BITS, Pilani.

Over the years, BITS has provided the highest quality technical education to students from all over India admitted on the basis of merit. Its graduates may be found throughout the world in all areas of engineering, science and commerce. BITS symbolizes the maturing of Indian technical ability and "can-do" entrepreneurial spirit, especially as derived from the private sector.

Infrastructure

Good quality infrastructure is one of the mainstay which includes Central Library, Lecture Hall Complex, etc. It features state-of-the-art campus wide network which provides broadband access, telephones and video conferencing abilities in every room, staff quarters & guest house, as well as wireless access in Sky lawns & the library.

Within the Vidya Vihar Campus there is a branch of UCO Bank, a Post Office and a Telephone Exchange. In the adjoining CEERI Campus there is a branch of the State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur and a Telegraph Office. State Bank of Bikaner and Jaipur has an extension counter in the Institute.

To add to the beauty and aesthetic are: Sharada Peeth - Temple of goddess Saraswati made of marble made over 40 years ago, has got some amazingly beautiful and variety of sculptures carved. The workmanship is extravagant. And Shiv Ganga - A central beauty spot of the Vidya Vihar Campus with a 400 meter circular canal and the Sharda Peeth, a beautiful white marble dedicated to Goddess Saraswati. It also houses schools and colleges for primary and secondary education.

Adjacent to the Institute Building is located the Birla Museum. It is the first science and technology museum established in the country. Most of the exhibits and models incorporate stimulating animations and visual effects.

Study Centers

1. Center for Software Development
   
2. Technology Business Incubator
   
3. Center for Educational Technology
   
4. Centre for Robotics and Intelligent Systems
   
5. Centre for Desert Development Technologies
   
6. Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership
   
7. Professional Development Centre
   
8. Centre for Women Studies
   
9. Rain Water Harvesting

Facilities and Campus

BITS is located in the Vidya Vihar campus adjacent to the town of Pilani in Rajasthan. 328 acre of land is the area under BITS. The total area of the Vidya Vihar campus, which houses several other smaller facilities - some of them under the Birla Education Trust- encompasses an area of over 1000 acres

Research & Consultancy Division - Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani is at the forefront of scientific research and Industrial consultancy apart from imparting high quality engineering education. A well organized and systematic approach has been developed for the selection of research scholars, and training programs.

Hostels - Hostel are known as Bhawans. There are 11 hostels for boys named after historical Indian characters(Ashok, Bhagirath, Budh, Gandhi,Krishna, Malviya,Ram, Ranapratap, Shankar, Vishwakarma, Vyas) and 1 for girls(Meera).

Library - BITS library has a floor area of 65000 Sq.ft. It has over 2,16,000 volumes which include books and bound volumes relating to science and technology, management, social sciences etc. It also houses CDs, educational videos, thesis/reports etc.

Schools / Colleges - There are several Middle and Primary Schools in Pilani. There are also 10+2 schools affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education and Board of Secondary Education, Rajasthan. Birla Balika Vidyapeeth [for girls up to 10+2] and Birla Shishu VIhar, a coeducational Primary School, are located in the Vidya Vihar Campus. Adjoining the campus, there is also a Commerce & Arts College and a Polytechnic. There is also a Home Science College for Girls in Pilani town. These schools and colleges are run by Birla Education Trust and other Educational Societies.

E-Services - Certain E-Services have been provided exclusively for BITS members like BitsMail, CampusBuzz, IntraBits and CMT

Other Facilities

Guest Houses - Limited facilities are available for board and lodging on payment at the BITS Guest House which is at the entrance of the campus. Accommodation in the Guest House has to be booked by prior request and these requests have to be addressed to the Chief, Public Relations Unit, BITS, Pilani. Limited accommodations are also available at Alumni Home [Requests should be addressed to Public Relations Officer, Birla Education Trust, Pilani]. CEERI Guest House [Requests should be addressed to Administrative Officer, CEERI, Pilani]

Shopping Centers - A Supermarket, AKSHAY is located in the heart of the campus with an elegant modern building. This Supermarket is apart of BITS Consumers’ Cooperative Stores Ltd., with 7500 Sq. feet covered area. AKSHAY has various sections for consumable items where the customers have the freedom to choose and pick-up the items of their choice and pay on the cash counter

Workshops - The aim of these meeting is to share and discuss about the various aspects of research & advancement in the field of concrete technology and sustainable concrete construction. Experts from various universities participate and present their views in this high-profile meeting.

Research and Development centres - The Institute has established the various centres of Research and Development. Some of them are Software Engineering Research Center, Centre for Material Science & Technology etc.

Societies - The institute has various scientific and educational societies

Campus Placement - BITS has a remarkable placement record and most students have their careers charted out well before they complete graduation. Some of the participating companies are Adobe, Amazon, Wipro, Yahoo etc.

Extra Curricular Activities

SAC - Students Activities Center has rooms for student societies to operate and play a few indoor sports facilities like badminton, squash, Table Tennis etc.

Cultural Activities - It holds various academic and cultural festivals namely Oasis, Apogee, Sangamam etc.

Achievements

NAAC Recognition - BITS, Pilani has been accredited by the National Assessment & Accreditation Council (NAAC) with A grade with a CGPA of 3.71 .

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Information compiled from: Birla Institute of Technology and Science - BITS Pilani Website