Author – Ritesh Ranjan: BITS Pilani’s K K Birla Goa Campus celebrated Convocation 2026 on August 9, 2026, marking an important academic milestone for 1,109 graduating students across undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes. The ceremony brought together students, faculty members, families, academic leaders and distinguished guests to celebrate academic achievement while looking ahead to a rapidly changing professional world shaped by artificial intelligence, advanced computing and emerging technologies.
The convocation was held at the BITS Pilani Goa campus and featured Mr. Rakesh Kumar Verma, Co-Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of MapmyIndia, as the chief guest. A distinguished alumnus of BITS Pilani, Verma encouraged graduates to combine technical expertise with curiosity, resilience and sound human judgment as they build their careers.
The ceremony was presided over by Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, in the presence of Prof. Suman Kundu, Director of the K K Birla Goa Campus, members of the Board of Governors, faculty, students and families.
BITS Pilani Goa Convocation 2026: 1,109 Students Graduate
The graduating batch represented a diverse range of academic programmes offered at the Goa campus.
The 1,109 graduates included:
- 674 First Degree students
- 257 Dual Degree students
- 121 Higher Degree students
- 57 PhD scholars
The graduating cohort highlights the institution’s growing contribution to engineering education, scientific research, advanced technology and doctoral scholarship.
Commissioned in 2004, the K K Birla Goa Campus operates from a sprawling 180-acre campus near Vasco-da-Gama in Goa. Over the years, the campus has developed into an important academic and research centre with modern laboratories, interdisciplinary programmes and industry-oriented educational opportunities.
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao Highlights Curiosity, Integrity and Excellence
Addressing the graduating students, Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao encouraged them to continue following the values of curiosity, integrity and excellence that are associated with BITS Pilani.
He also highlighted changes being introduced in the institution’s academic curriculum to prepare students for a technology-driven economy.
BITS Pilani has been redesigning its curriculum to provide students with greater academic flexibility through cross-disciplinary electives, minors and emerging technology programmes.
The focus is on preparing graduates who can work across traditional disciplinary boundaries and respond effectively to challenges created by developments in areas such as artificial intelligence, deep technology, advanced computing and quantum technologies.
As industries increasingly seek professionals capable of combining expertise from multiple domains, interdisciplinary education is becoming an important part of preparing students for future careers.
Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal Winners at BITS Pilani Goa
Several students received academic honours during the BITS Pilani Goa Convocation 2026.
Among the First Degree graduates, Shamit Khetan received the Gold Medal. Vrishti Deepak Godhwani was awarded the Silver Medal, while Aditya Ashok Tailor received the Bronze Medal.
Among the Higher Degree students, Sumit Sakharam Ghodke and Rudraksh Alias Bhagwant Mukund Suryarao Sardesai jointly received the Gold Medal.
Vignesh A and Neelima M received the Silver Medal in the Higher Degree category.
The Prof. Suman Kapur Memorial Best PhD Thesis Award 2026 was presented to Dr. Madduri Madhuri for outstanding doctoral research.
The Prof. Raghurama Outstanding Student Award 2025–26 was presented to Aarya Ameet Agavekar, Himangi Aggarwal and Shamit Khetan.
These awards recognised outstanding academic performance, research contributions and student achievement across programmes.
Rakesh Kumar Verma Advises Graduates to Stay Adaptable
Chief guest Rakesh Kumar Verma used his address to highlight the importance of adaptability in a professional environment undergoing rapid technological transformation.
He encouraged graduates to remain curious, resilient and willing to continuously learn throughout their careers.
Artificial intelligence is increasingly changing the way professionals work across engineering, entrepreneurship, business, research and technology. Verma advised students to view AI as a powerful tool while continuing to rely on human judgment, creativity, curiosity and purpose.
His message emphasised that technology should complement human decision-making rather than replace the qualities that allow individuals to solve complex problems.
Verma also encouraged graduates to think beyond personal achievement. According to his message, professional success should also be evaluated through the positive value individuals create for society.
BITS Pilani Goa Expands Programmes in Emerging Technologies
The Goa campus introduced several new academic initiatives during the year, strengthening its focus on advanced technologies and international education.
One of the major additions was a co-tutelage 2+2 Computer Science programme with RMIT University, Australia.
The partnership provides students with increased opportunities for international academic exposure and collaboration.
BITS Pilani Goa also introduced two new postgraduate engineering programmes:
- M.E. in Quantum Science and Technology
- M.E. in Quantum Information Processing
A new Minor in Computing and Intelligence was also introduced.
These programmes reflect the growing demand for professionals trained in artificial intelligence, quantum computing and advanced computing technologies.
Research Projects Worth Over ₹30.72 Crore
Research remained an important focus of the Goa campus during the academic year.
The campus secured 91 sponsored research projects worth more than ₹30.72 crore and produced 720 research publications.
Faculty members worked across several emerging and strategically important areas, including:
- Green hydrogen
- Quantum technologies
- Advanced semiconductor devices
- Indigenous navigation systems
Research in these areas is particularly relevant to India’s growing focus on clean energy, semiconductor manufacturing, advanced computing and technological self-reliance.
The number of sponsored projects and research publications also demonstrates the campus’ increasing involvement in research-driven innovation.
New Laboratories and Innovation Infrastructure
BITS Pilani Goa has also been expanding its research and innovation infrastructure.
New and upgraded facilities include laboratories focusing on augmented reality and virtual reality, biomedical engineering, impact engineering and micro-fabrication.
The campus has also developed a BSL-2 biosciences facility, which can support advanced biological and biomedical research.
Another notable initiative is the AICTE IDEA Lab, which is supported by a proposed investment of approximately ₹90 lakh.
The facility is expected to provide students with opportunities to experiment, prototype ideas and develop innovative solutions. Such infrastructure can also support entrepreneurship by allowing students to convert academic concepts into practical projects and potential startups.
BITS Pilani Goa Strengthens Its Role in India’s Innovation Ecosystem
The BITS Pilani Goa Convocation 2026 represented more than the completion of academic programmes for 1,109 students.
It also highlighted the institution’s continuing efforts to strengthen interdisciplinary education, international collaboration, research and emerging technology programmes.
From quantum science and artificial intelligence to green hydrogen, semiconductor technology and biomedical engineering, the Goa campus is expanding its academic and research activities in areas expected to influence the future of technology.
For graduates, the convocation marked the beginning of a new professional journey. The message from academic leaders and the chief guest remained clear: technical knowledge will continue to be important, but qualities such as curiosity, adaptability, integrity, resilience and human judgment will be equally critical.
As the Class of 2026 enters careers in engineering, research, entrepreneurship, higher education and business, the graduating students will carry forward the academic foundation and interdisciplinary outlook developed at BITS Pilani.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When was BITS Pilani Goa Convocation 2026 held?
BITS Pilani’s K K Birla Goa Campus held its Convocation 2026 on August 9, 2026, at the Goa campus.
2. How many students graduated from BITS Pilani Goa in 2026?
A total of 1,109 students graduated during the ceremony, including 674 First Degree students, 257 Dual Degree students, 121 Higher Degree students and 57 PhD scholars.
3. Who was the chief guest at BITS Pilani Goa Convocation 2026?
Rakesh Kumar Verma, Co-Founder, Chairman and Managing Director of MapmyIndia and a BITS Pilani alumnus, attended the ceremony as the chief guest.
4. Who received the Gold Medal at BITS Pilani Goa Convocation 2026?
Shamit Khetan received the Gold Medal among First Degree graduates. Among Higher Degree students, Sumit Sakharam Ghodke and Rudraksh Alias Bhagwant Mukund Suryarao Sardesai jointly received the Gold Medal.
5. What new programmes has BITS Pilani Goa introduced?
The Goa campus introduced a 2+2 Computer Science programme with RMIT University, Australia, M.E. programmes in Quantum Science and Technology and Quantum Information Processing, along with a Minor in Computing and Intelligence.