National, June 6, 2025: BITS Pilani, a renowned institution known for its commitment to innovation, announced their partnership with the esteemed USC Viterbi School of Engineering. This development marks the beginning of a new era of transformative collaboration in research and excellence. This strategic partnership represents a significant milestone in strengthening international ties between two acclaimed institutions, setting the stage for groundbreaking advancements in education and research.
The MoU aims to strengthen academic ties and foster innovation through joint research, educational initiatives, and student and faculty exchanges. By leveraging the strengths of both institutions, this partnership will address emerging challenges in science, technology, and engineering, creating impactful opportunities for students, researchers, and faculty. Further emphasis will be on collaboration in emerging fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, quantum computing and sustainable engineering, along with scholarly exchanges and participation in conferences. This partnership aligns with BITS Pilani’s vision of building a global ecosystem for higher education and research, further expanding its international footprint.
This collaboration includes several key initiatives. First, a combined Bachelor of Engineering (BE) and Master of Science (MS) program will be launched. Highly qualified BITS Pilani students, after completing three years of their BE degree, will be eligible for early admission to the MS program at the University of Southern California (USC). These students will complete their BE requirements at BITS while simultaneously starting their MS coursework under the guidance of USC faculty. Second, a short-term exchange program will allow USC students to spend two weeks at BITS Pilani campuses, participating in academic and cultural activities. Finally, the partnership will support USC faculty members visiting BITS and vice versa to teach courses, lead seminars, and collaborate on joint research projects. This will facilitate the exchange of expertise and ideas between USC and BITS.
Speaking about the collaboration, Prof. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani said, “This partnership with USC Viterbi School of Engineering represents a significant step forward in our mission to provide global opportunities for our students and faculty. By combining the strengths of both institutions, we aim to foster innovation, enhance learning experiences, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of education and research.”
Yannis C. Yortsos, Dean of the USC Viterbi School of Engineering said, “This partnership with BITS Pilani exemplifies our commitment to building global alliances that advance research and innovation. By combining the expertise and vision of both institutions, we aim to create transformative opportunities for students and faculty while addressing some of the most complex challenges of our time.”
Reflecting on the partnership, Mr. Harpreet Kalra, Director Strategy – India, USC Viterbi School of Engineering, said, “We are proud to strengthen our ties with India’s brightest engineering minds through this landmark collaboration. Indian students have been central to Viterbi’s global excellence, and this partnership with BITS Pilani creates new avenues to engage with our cutting-edge research, renowned faculty, and innovation-driven ecosystem—bringing the USC brand of excellence closer to India.”
The agreement was formalized on June 5 at a ceremony held at USC’s Olin Hall of Engineering, with key representatives from BITS Pilani, including Rao, Professor Arya Kumar and Sachin Arya. USC attendees included Dean Yortsos; Anthony Bailey, USC vice president for global and online initiatives; Raghu Raghavendra, USC Viterbi vice dean for global academic initiatives; Kelly Goulis, USC Viterbi senior associate dean for admission and student engagement; and William Schwerin, director of graduate recruitment.
