BITS Pilani unveils Rakesh Kapoor Innovation Centre to elevate the future of learning

India, ninth October 2023: BITS Pilani, a famend establishment identified for its dedication to innovation inaugurated specialised “Rakesh Kapoor Innovation Centre” centered on entrepreneurship. The inaugural occasion occurred on eighth October 2023 at BITS Pilani Campus.

The Rakesh Kapoor Incubation Centre is envisaged as an integral facility for innovation and entrepreneurship at the Pilani Campus. The Centre can be the residence to the enterprise incubator, Pilani Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Society (PIEDS), which was arrange with the grant of Department of Science and Technology (DST). The centre will even possess a number of specialised labs in the space reminiscent of Internet-of-Things, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, Fin-Tech Labs. It will even have house for administrative workplaces for professionals and college members concerned in incubation actions. The centre is designed by famend architect Hafeez Contractor, in a picturesque facility with an space of 40,000 sq. ft.

The Centre was inaugurated by Chief Guest, Rakesh Kapoor, Former Global CEO of Reckitt Plc. in the presence of Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani and Prof. Sudhirkumar Barai, Director, Pilani Campus.

Rakesh Kapoor, who studied at BITS Pilani from (Batch 1980), gave BITS Pilani a donation of $1.2 million (about Rs. 10 crore) for the creation of state-of-the-art Centre of Innovation, making it the best reward the college has ever obtained at the moment.

While addressing throughout the occasion, Rakesh Kapoor emphasised on “Innovation is the lifeblood and engine of financial and societal progress. I’m assured that this world class Innovation centre will foster the expertise of younger engineers and scientists to create revolutionary merchandise, options and companies that profit our planet and our folks. The depth and rigour of a BITS schooling mixed with the tradition of innovation and entrepreneurship that pervades campus life, I actually imagine the potentialities for the coming generations are limitless. Nothing will give me extra pleasure than the centre serving to create a tradition, particularly of innovation and entrepreneurship, which truly outcomes not simply in innovation by itself, however leads to issues that we will do to profit society, to profit folks round the world. I’m completely honoured that BITS selected me and put my title on this glorious initiative.”

Speaking on the event, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani mentioned, “As we launch this Innovation Centre at BITS, we start a brand new period in entrepreneurship and innovation. This facility exemplifies our dedication to fostering collaboration, curiosity, and innovation. Here, the brightest minds will unite to remodel ideas into options and aspirations into actuality”.

He additional emphasised “At BITS, we imagine that options to advanced issues come from innovation, and these are strengthened by a group, house, funding, and patents. Usually, the PhD packages in the nation are all geared to producing college professors, however we’re altering the paradigm of what these packages want to be, by shifting the focus to innovation. This type deed of Mr. Rakesh Kapoor will undoubtedly have a long-lasting influence as a result of it aligns with one of the important institutional priorities and enhances the tradition of innovation and entrepreneurship that BITS has lengthy supported”.

During the occasion varied donors have been felicitated for his or her helpful contribution in direction of the institute. Some of them embrace entrepreneurs reminiscent of Anuradha & Prashanth Palakurthi , Anurag Jain & Ross Perot Jr. Abhinav Asthana and Abhijit Kane, Chaitanya Kalipatnapu, Mukesh Sharma, Kiran Bhat, Aparna & Raghu Sethuraman, Rakesh Verma, together with the batch of 1989, 1993, and 1994.