BITS Pilani launches USD 500,000 alumni-funded scholarships; endowment campaign crosses USD 45 million

BITS Pilani has announced three new scholarships worth a total of $500,000, funded by alumni spanning over six decades. These scholarships aim to support meritorious students seeking admission to the institute and to strengthen the spirit of philanthropy among its alumni.

The announcement is part of BITS Pilani’s ongoing $100 million endowment campaign, which helps fund student scholarships, faculty development, research, and global programmes. So far, the campaign has raised over $45 million from alumni and supporters around the world.

The new BITS Pilani scholarships include merit-based and merit-cum-need awards for deserving male and female students.

With these new scholarships, BITS Pilani now offers more than 300 scholarships funded by alumni, plus other institute scholarships that help one in every four students each year.

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Scholarships for deserving students

The BITS Pilani scholarships are being established by Krishna Saraswat, Stanford University alumnus (1963); SK Roongta, alumnus (1966) and former SAIL Chairman; and the alumni couple Srikrishna Sridhar and Arushi Aggarwal, from the 2005 batch.

Krishna Saraswat said, “I credit my success to the excellent education I received at Pilani. My wife Sonia and I are happy to set up this scholarship at BITS.”

SK Roongta added, “This scholarship is a small way to give back to the institution that has given me so much. I hope it helps talented students follow their dreams without worrying about money.”

The vice chancellor, V Ramgopal Rao, said, “These scholarships do more than provide money. They show how education can change lives and highlight the progress of our $100 million endowment campaign.”