BITS Pilani Names Prof Mohan Krishnamoorthy as Founding Director of Amaravati Campus, ETEducation

New Delhi: BITS Pilani has appointed Prof Mohan Krishnamoorthy as the founding director of its Amaravati campus, with the appointment taking effect in January 2027.

Krishnamoorthy, a Professor of Operations Research, is currently Associate Deputy Vice-Chancellor (India Engagement) at RMIT University and Director of Industry Research and Interactive Learning Solutions (IRIS) at BITS Pilani.

At BITS Pilani Amaravati, he will lead the development of the new campus and its academic, research and industry ecosystem, with a focus on computer science, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies.

The campus is also expected to develop programmes and research around AI and data, robotics and advanced manufacturing, digital transformation, life sciences and healthcare, and technologies addressing societal and environmental challenges.

Krishnamoorthy holds a PhD from Imperial College London and has experience in building international research and institutional partnerships. He was the founding CEO of the IIT Bombay-Monash Research Academy and later initiated the UQ-IIT Delhi Research Academy, contributing to research collaborations between India and Australia.

“To be given the opportunity to be the founding director of BITS Amaravati is both a tremendous privilege and an exciting responsibility,” Krishnamoorthy said.

He said building a campus from the ground up would provide an opportunity to shape its academic culture and focus, with AI and technology playing a central role in addressing challenges for industry, government and society.

Prof V Ramgopal Rao, Group Vice Chancellor, BITS Pilani, said Krishnamoorthy’s experience in research, industry engagement and international partnerships would be relevant to the development of the new campus.

“His experience in creating new research and institutional ecosystems will be particularly valuable as we develop BITS Pilani Amaravati into a distinctive campus with a strong focus on emerging technologies, innovation and entrepreneurship,” Rao said.

The Amaravati campus is being positioned as a technology-focused addition to the BITS Pilani network, with the institute looking to build academic programmes, research capabilities and industry linkages around emerging technology areas.

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