Undergraduate students at BITS Pilani will have more opportunities to pursue research, explore subjects beyond their disciplines and undertake structured wellbeing activities under a curriculum redesigned for the artificial intelligence era.
The changes bring together academic flexibility, hands-on learning and industry experience, according to V Ramgopal Rao, group vice chancellor of the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS).
Rao, a former IIT Delhi director, said the revised approach would allow students to explore diverse disciplines while pursuing their academic interests. It combines foundations in science, engineering and computing with exposure to humanities and arts, design thinking, entrepreneurship and real-world problem-solving.
“We have launched a new curriculum responding to AI’s impact on education and growing mental health concerns. AI has democratised access to knowledge. Our focus is on giving students the confidence and skills to build independently. We have strengthened hands-on learning and made research and project activities integral to undergraduate studies through the Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP), Advanced UROP and Super UROP,” Rao told PTI.
Students would receive support to develop solutions to societal challenges, with opportunities to take their ideas towards commercial ventures.
“Students engage with societal problems, with funding to develop and test solutions within the curriculum. Practice School’s industry mentorship and entrepreneurship pathways help take these ideas towards ventures,” he added.
The institute said it had spent over Rs 50 crore this year upgrading undergraduate laboratories across its Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad campuses to reflect technological advances.
The curriculum also introduces a Points of Experience framework, making physical and mental wellbeing, social conduct and community engagement formal requirements of undergraduate programmes.
“We have also taken the lead in integrating physical and mental wellbeing, with about 60 hours of structured participation in fitness, creativity, wellbeing workshops, social conduct and community engagement,” Rao said.
Students would complete 30 Points of Experience, equivalent to approximately 60 hours of activities. These would include fitness, creative pursuits, wellbeing workshops, social conduct and community engagement, with participation recognised through experience points rather than academic credits.
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The revised curriculum also covers emerging fields, including artificial intelligence, data science, software construction, quantum information and computation, astronomy and materials chemistry.
“The revised curriculum gives students the opportunity to opt for interdisciplinary learning through various elective courses. This flexibility allows them to explore interests beyond their primary areas of study,” Rao said.