BITS Pilani to set up ‘AI+' campus, invest ₹1,219 cr on infra upgrade
on Sunday announced an expansion of its academic and
digital infrastructure
, unveiling plans for a new AI+ campus in Amaravati, a ₹1,219 crore investment to upgrade facilities across its existing campuses and the formal launch of BITS
Pilani
Digital, the institute's dedicated
online education platform
.
'The latest initiatives reflect our continued commitment to reimagining higher education in both physical and digital realms,' chancellor
Kumar Mangalam Birla
said announcing the initiatives during the 2025 convocation. 'These efforts are not just about scale but also about building a transformative ecosystem that empowers learners, nurtures innovation and fuels inclusive growth.'
The AI+ campus, coming up on 35 acres in Amaravati, will be developed in two phases. The first phase will support 3,000 students, while the second will scale capacity to over 7,000. Programmes will include undergraduate twinning courses, cotutelle doctoral degrees with international institutions, and master's degrees in AI/ML, innovation and strategy. The campus will adopt a 'smart' design with integrated
IoT
systems, AI-driven services and modular, sustainable infrastructure.
The ₹1,219 crore investment under
Project Vistaar
is aimed at enhancing research and learning infrastructure across BITS Pilani's campuses in Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. It includes ₹60 crore earmarked for upgrading undergraduate labs and will increase student intake from the current 18,700 to approximately 26,000 by 2030-31. The expansion will also support new interdisciplinary programmes aligned with emerging global trends.
BITS Pilani Digital, also announced at the event, is designed to extend the institute's academic offerings to a wider audience through flexible, industry-focused online programmes. Over the next five years, the platform will offer 32 programmes—11 degree and 21 certificate courses—targeting more than 100,000 learners. Features include real-world project work, career support and optional campus immersions.
'Our focus at BITS Pilani has always been to stay ahead of the curve, whether in academic innovation, global research collaboration, or student experience,' said vice chancellor V Ramgopal Rao. 'With these new initiatives, we are reaffirming our vision to create an institution that is responsive to the world's changing needs, deeply connected to industry and driven by a spirit of purpose and excellence.'
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