UST, a leader in digital transformation, has entered into a partnership with BITS Pilani, one of India’s top academic institutions, through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The formal exchange took place at UST’s Thiruvananthapuram campus and marks the beginning of a comprehensive collaboration designed to enhance innovation, foster talent, and support joint research that bridges the gap between academia and industry to create impactful solutions.
The partnership will focus on cutting-edge research and collaboration in areas like Photonics, Quantum Computing, VLSI, Humanoid Robotics, AI, and MedTech. Through joint projects, the collaboration will result in new patents, Proof of Concept (PoC) initiatives, and commercial-ready products, all developed with the combined expertise of UST’s engineering team and BITS Pilani’s academic leadership.
The MoU was signed in the presence of senior leaders from both organizations, including Alexander Varghese, COO of UST; Gilroy Mathew, SVP & Global Head of Engineering, UST; Shilpa Menon, Center Head – Trivandrum; Sarath Raj, Senior Director & Head – HR BSE-APAC; and others from UST. On behalf of BITS Pilani, Prof Sanket Goel, Dean (R&I), and Dr Praloy Mondal, Program Manager, CREST, were present.
Gilroy Mathew, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Engineering at UST, emphasized the potential of the collaboration: “This partnership brings together two innovation-driven institutions, providing an opportunity for students and faculty to contribute to industry-relevant innovation. At UST, we bring expertise in areas like semiconductor design, intelligent mobility, and AI-driven digital engineering. We believe this collaboration will go beyond creating advanced solutions – it will help nurture the talent needed to turn research into real-world results, fostering a strong link between academia and industry.”
Prof Sanket Goel, Dean of Research & Innovation at BITS Pilani, highlighted the significance of the partnership: “This MoU is a crucial step in strengthening academia-industry ties. Our collaboration with UST will expose our students and faculty to the challenges and technologies shaping the future. This initiative will not only stimulate innovation but will also enhance practical learning, preparing our students for the rapidly changing tech landscape.”
Under this collaboration, UST will co-develop research programs focused on addressing real-world industry challenges. This includes providing technical mentorship, prototyping support, and assisting with the commercialization of research outcomes. Other areas of cooperation include semiconductor testing, data-driven engineering, cloud computing, sustainable technologies, and AI-powered industrial solutions. UST will also engage with BITS Pilani’s placement cell to recruit emerging talent and contribute to curriculum design and faculty development.
This partnership is part of UST’s broader commitment to advancing global engineering research and development. With expertise in areas such as semiconductor design, smart manufacturing, immersive technologies, and AI-integrated solutions, UST is positioned to deliver next-gen engineering solutions. The collaboration will help further strengthen India’s automotive and robotics sectors through applied research, utilizing real-world data and industry insights. The MoU underscores UST’s dedication to fostering innovation and agility in the academic ecosystem, empowering students and faculty to make meaningful contributions to the future of technology.
Founded in 1999, UST partners with leading global companies to drive transformation and make a tangible impact. With over 30,000 employees across 30+ countries, UST delivers digital solutions, engineering services, and innovation platforms to solve complex challenges and drive disruptive change. By combining expertise, innovation, and agility, UST creates measurable value and lasting impact for its clients, customers, and communities worldwide.
BITS Pilani is a prestigious university recognized as an Institute of Eminence (IoE) by the Government of India. With campuses across India and abroad, BITS Pilani offers high-quality undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs in engineering, science, management, and allied fields. The institution is known for its academic rigor, research initiatives, and fostering strong industry-academic partnerships.
