Hyderabad – August 18, 2025: Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS) Pilani, an Institution of Eminence (IoE) globally renowned for its focus on innovation, hosted a convocation to commemorate the academic achievements of 8,450 working professionals. These professionals graduated with different M.Tech., MBA, M.Sc., and B.Tech. programmes from the institution’s Work Integrated Learning Programmes (WILP) in sectors like IT/ITES (the largest), Electrical & Electronics, Automotive, Manufacturing, Energy, Oil & Gas, Power, Metals & Mining, Banking, Finance, and Insurance, Pharma & Healthcare, Civil Engineering, and others.
While about 1,050 graduates attended the convocation in person, more than 7,400 graduates participated virtually with the help of revolutionary Metaverse technology; nearly 122 of them graduated from 24 other countries as well.
During WILP’s third successive hybrid convocation, thousands of graduates had a memorable experience with the near-realistic convocation environment, as their personalized 3D avatars walked across a virtual stage to receive their degrees, thereby demonstrating the seamless fusion of a long-standing tradition and modern technologies. With the integration of 3D modelling and immersive technology, the participants also took virtual tours to explore the campuses of BITS Pilani.
Dr. Shivkumar Kalyanaraman, CEO, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), graced the event as the Chief Guest and congratulated all the graduating students and their proud parents and loved ones. He mentioned in his speech, “It is wonderful to see the impact made by the Work Integrated Learning Program on thousands of professionals, who will be proud BITS alumni from now on. Having been on the other side, I have seen the challenges such professionals go through and the commitment they have to earn this coveted degree. There is also a huge opportunity to use the thesis option to drive deeper industry-academic collaboration, and as alumni, what you can contribute via industry-defined ‘challenges’ you can set for on-campus students and student clubs. Wish you all a wonderful career and lives as proud BITSians!”
Speaking on the occasion, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor of BITS Pilani, said, “Today, as we honour our graduates of the Work Integrated Learning program, we also celebrate a new chapter in their professional and personal journeys. By interlinking academic excellence with real-world experience, this program empowers them to be lifelong learners, agile problem solvers, and contributors to their organizations and society.”
Prof. G. Sundar, Director, Off-Campus Programmes & Industry Engagement, BITS Pilani, in his congratulatory message to the working professionals, said, “The focus and passion for continuous learning efforts, advancement of knowledge, and driving positive change are some of the key aspects that the new graduates can hold immense pride about, as they receive their degrees today and take further leaps in their professional growth. More than 136,900 working professionals have graduated from WILP programmes over the years (till date), and the current active enrolment in various programmes is in excess of 49,430 professionals; in addition to the quality of learning, these impressive numbers too contribute immensely to addressing the talent gap that we are witnessing today — not just across several industries, but around the globe as well.”
Chidambaram, former Union Minister of Finance,also graced the convocation with his presence.