Since its inception, BITS Pilani has earned an enviable reputation for its commitment to promoting academic and instructional excellence, and for various innovations in education. Two of the most far reaching such innovations have been the Practice School (PS) program begun in 1974, and the Work Integrated Learning Programs (WILP) in 1979. In the last decade or so, we have introduced a number of successful pedagogical initiatives, and a number of instructional elements making use of the latest in educational technologies, especially In the WILP. It is critical that we retain and build on the excellence that we have nurtured over the years in instruction on campus, and in the off-campus programs.

I am happy to announce that we are launching the Center for Education Research and Innovation with the twin objectives of promoting excellence in teaching and fostering student centered learning.

In line with these objectives, the center is expected to focus on the following key initiatives:

-       Uncovering actionable insights from existing data

-       Running controlled experiments to improve the practice of teaching and learning

-       Leveraging cutting edge technologies to shape the future of pedagogy and assessment

We are in parallel launching the “AI for Education Innovation” lab, which is equipped with advanced hardware and software tools to support the initiatives of the center. Faculty members associated with the center will carry out cutting edge research and thereby help shape the future of teaching and learning. In addition, the Center will develop training programs that address the professional development needs of our faculty members as well as teaching assistants.

The center will also host conferences and symposiums focusing on the future of Work Integrated Learning with the objective of bringing together scholars, practitioners and policy makers from across the globe to discuss the latest developments in the field and evolve solutions to practical challenges. The first such conference is planned for April 2024 at our Hyderabad campus.

I am confident that the center will not only enable us to meet the evolving needs of our growing student base but also make a tangible contribution to the scholarship of teaching and learning and thereby impact the practice of teaching and learning both within BITS, Pilani as well as at other Educational Institutions across the Country and the Globe.

"Best Wishes"