Governor underscore’s role of BITSians in India’s tech-driven growth
The sixth edition of the BITSAA Global Meet (BGM 2026), the flagship triennial global alumni conclave of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, was inaugurated on Friday at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus by the Governor of Telangana, Sri Jishnu Dev Varma.
Hyderabad: The sixth edition of the BITSAA Global Meet (BGM 2026), the flagship triennial global alumni conclave of Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani, was inaugurated on Friday at the BITS Pilani Hyderabad campus by the Governor of Telangana, Sri Jishnu Dev Varma.
The inaugural ceremony was attended by Sri Dana Kishore, IAS, Principal Secretary to the Governor (FAC) and Principal Secretary of the Labour, Employment, Training and Factories (LET&F) Department; Ms Anita Sakuru, Chairperson of BGM 2026; Prof V. Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani; noted venture capitalist and angel investor Sri Kanwal Rekhi of Inventus Capital Partners; and Sri Mayur Patnala, Chief Executive Officer of BGM 2026, among other distinguished guests.
Addressing the gathering, Governor Jishnu Dev Varma said institutions such as BITS Pilani have played a crucial role in positioning India as a global technology hub. He noted that the institute’s strong innovation and incubation ecosystem—driven by startups, student-led initiatives, and industry collaborations—exemplifies how higher education institutions can align themselves with national priorities and global technological trends.
Sri Dana Kishore underscored the importance of technology-driven, quality education, highlighting the role of institutions like BITS as national partners in workforce development, digital transformation, and lifelong learning.
In his opening remarks, Prof V. Ramgopal Rao spoke about BITS Pilani’s globally competitive and future-ready education model, supported by its multi-campus presence across Pilani, Goa, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Dubai, and the upcoming campus in Amaravati, along with a wide range of academic programmes offered across these locations.
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Sri Kanwal Rekhi emphasised the importance of innovation, risk-taking, and the responsibility of alumni to “pay it forward” by mentoring and supporting the next generation of entrepreneurs and community builders.
The first day of the conclave focused strongly on the startup ecosystem through the ‘Pilani Sharks’ initiative, which provided a platform for early-stage, alumni-led startups to pitch their ideas to a panel of seasoned investors. In parallel, technical workshops on ‘Agentic AI’ and ‘Digital Wellness’ explored the convergence of emerging technologies with human-centric design.
Ms Anita Sakuru said the BITSAA Global Meet serves as a catalyst for multi-generational collaboration among alumni, students, and industry leaders. The day concluded with a cultural programme featuring a traditional Qawwali performance, celebrating the institute’s rich heritage and spirit of camaraderie.
