Birla Institute of Technology and Science-Pilani, Hyderabad, is setting up a technology incubator in its campus here to encourage entrepreneurship.
“As part of this, we will provide 10,000 sq ft of built-up area to the incubators in biotech, pharma, ICT and healthcare segments,” V.S. Rao, Director, BITS Pilani-Hyderabad, told Business Line here on Thursday.
The incubator, which will be operational in a few months from now, is being set up with Rs 5 crore grant from the Department of Science and Technology besides Rs 2.5 crore from the institution.
“Initially, technologies being developed by our students and faculty will be given preference. But going forward, it will be opened to others as well,” Rao said.
New courses
From the next academic year (July 2013), the Hyderabad campus of the premier institute will be introducing M.E. in Computer Science with specialisation in information security and M.E. in Bioprocess engineering.
“Efforts are also on to launch a programme in business analytics in due course,” the Director said.
Set up in 2008 with 550 students in 13 disciplines, the Hyderabad campus now has 3,000 students including 100 in Ph.D and 150 in post-graduation. There are 153 faculty members.
“Our research focus is on engineering sciences, biotech, pharmacy, healthcare, water resources and environment. Both our faculty and research scholars are engaged in productive research,’’ he added.
Tangible results were seen in research pertaining to diabetes, tuberculosis and HIV areas, he said.
Placements
The first-batch of graduates had achieved 85-90 per cent placements. “The highest salary offer came from a multinational at Rs 58 lakh per annum this year,” he said.
However, there is a need to drive young students to entrepreneurship and higher education instead of making them chase jobs at an early age, he added.
INVESTMENT
Over the next seven years, BITS Pilani would invest Rs 1,000 crore in expanding or upgrading its four existing campuses, Rao said.
The combined student strength in all campus would be ramped up to 18,000 students from 10,500 now, he added.
In Hyderabad, BITS Pilani had invested Rs 250 crore so far while a world-class auditorium with 2,500 seats is being built with Rs 50 crore.