Mar 19: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, an Institution of Eminence, announced the donation of ₹2.5 crore by Agendra Kumar, Managing Director of Esri India and distinguished alumnus from the Class of 1977, to establish the Agendra Kumar Fellowships Fund. The fund will support 10 PhD scholars over the next decade, further strengthening BITS Pilani’s commitment to advancing research and nurturing future innovators.
The fellowship fund will support purposive and relevant research to advance high-impact through technology and engineering solutions to critical problems in climate & sustainability, healthcare & biotech, cybersecurity for critical infrastructure, geospatial intelligence, water resource management, cancer research using computational methods, and precision agriculture, where BITS researchers can make a meaningful difference.
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said,
“Agendra Kumar’s commitment reflects the finest tradition of BITSian giving – purposeful, forward-looking, and rooted in a genuine desire to see the institution grow. PhD research is the engine of long-term innovation, and fellowships of this kind make it possible for talented young researchers to pursue ideas that matter without being held back by financial constraints. We are deeply grateful to him for this generous and well-considered gift.”
Agendra Kumar said,
“BITS Pilani gave me the foundation to build a career at the intersection of technology and real-world impact. Esri India’s work in geospatial intelligence has shown me, time and again, how research translates into solutions that change lives on the ground and create value. Through these fellowships, I hope to enable the next generation of researchers at BITS to do exactly that – work on problems that matter for India and do so with the freedom and support to think boldly.”
Prof. Arya Kumar, Dean Alumni Relations, said,
“Agendra Kumar’s fellowship fund is a natural extension of his belief in the power of research to address real challenges. The focus areas he has chosen align closely with the nation’s most urgent priorities, and we are confident that the scholars supported through this fund will go on to make significant contributions by coming out with innovative solutions to critical problems.”
The research shall be undertaken in the aegis of School of Interdisciplinary Research and Entrepreneurship (SIRE) at BITS Pilani, which offers multiple programs for students and faculty. Most notable program is PhD DRIVE, which provides innovators an opportunity to earn a PhD Degree, while working on their deep-tech and deep-science venture.
BITS Pilani has set up a USD 100 million Endowment Fund to support its transformation into a globally ranked institution. The fund is aimed at strengthening faculty excellence, research capacity, student scholarships, and global engagement, with strong support from its worldwide alumni community.
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