UB, BITS Pilani partner on semiconductor workshop, MOU for dual-degree programs

Leaders from UB and BITS Pilani, one of the leading private technical universities in India, have agreed to a long-term collaboration to foster advanced research and educational programs.

The memorandum of understanding, which leaders signed last Tuesday in Capen Hall following a semiconductor workshop, marks a significant milestone between the two institutions.

“Enhancing the partnership between UB and BITS Pilani will create extraordinary educational opportunities for students while further solidifying our institutions’ prominence in semiconductor research and other fields,” President Satish K. Tripathi said.

V. Ramgopal Rao, vice chancellor of BITS Pilani, which stands for Birla Institute of Technology and Science, led a delegation from the institute during the signing ceremony. He said the memorandum will strengthen an already robust partnership between UB and BITS Pilani.

“We are delighted to begin this transformative journey of academic collaboration with the University at Buffalo,” he said. “Through this memorandum of understanding, we hope to give our students access to top-notch education, promote global perspectives and equip them to face the difficulties of a fast-changing global environment. This collaboration is a prime example of BITS Pilani’s commitment to developing the next generation of leaders and advancing global knowledge.”

As part of the memorandum, BITS Pilani and UB will develop a 2+2 dual undergraduate program in engineering and related fields. Students in these programs will complete their first two years at BITS and then transfer to UB for the final two years and earn degrees from both institutions.

UB and BITS Pilani also plan to establish 2+3 cooperative bachelor of science/master of science (BS/MS) programs. Under this plan, students will finish their first two years of undergraduate studies at BITS before transferring to UB to complete prerequisites for both the BS and MS degrees.

Future collaborations may include joint PhD and graduate programs.

The memorandum also includes a commitment to collaborate in areas such as teaching and research, including events like Tuesday’s semiconductor workshop. It is expected to support the Center for Advanced Semiconductor Technologies (CAST), which UB recently launched to cement its position nationally and globally as a leader in microelectronics and research innovation for the semiconductor industry. Participating in the hybrid workshop were CAST Director Jonathan Bird and SUNY Distinguished Professors Paras Prasad and Mark Swihart, as well as more than 20 other researchers from UB and BITS.

It also comes as UB continues to collaborate with other leading institutes of higher education in India to advance research and education in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and many other critical fields.