BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus Silver Jubilee: The minds behind the mission

I joined BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus in 2004, and over the past two decades, this institution has become far more than just my workplace, it is my professional home, a space where my passion for education, research, and outreach has flourished. As a faculty member in Electrical and Electronics Engineering, I have had the privilege of mentoring and shaping the academic journeys of countless students.

My role as Associate Dean for Admissions & Marketing has given me a broader lens through which to view our institution’s impact. Engaging with prospective students, parents, school leaders, and global partners has deepened our appreciation for the values we stand for.

As BPDC celebrates the Silver Jubilee, I feel proud and privileged to be one among many minds behind the mission working every day to shape futures, spark curiosity, and build a legacy of impact.

As General Manager, it is a privilege to commemorate BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus’s 25-year journey — a remarkable milestone shaped by visionary leadership, academic excellence, and innovation.

From its inception to becoming a dynamic hub of talent and ideas, BPDC has consistently set new benchmarks. As we look ahead, we remain committed to nurturing global leaders and driving meaningful change through education and collaboration.

Pedagogy

Engineering programmes integrate the elements of natural science, mathematics and the design process for solving problems with technology. Our curated evaluation components are aimed at assessing various learning outcomes through hands-on application of knowledge and fundamentals on real-world problems.

Innovation & student mentoring

Our dedicated faculty and staff are trained in proactively mentoring students to excel at interdisciplinary innovation competitions through which students not only expand their knowledge of technical skills, but also hone their interpersonal and behavioural attributes of team building and collaboration for an overall development.

This is also achieved through semester-long course projects that students can register for experiencing iterative engineering design process and developing practical skills.

As a professor of mathematics, I’ve always believed that numbers are more than just tools — they’re a language that connects logic with creativity. That belief has shaped not only how I teach, but how we educate at BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus (BPDC).

Over the last two decades, I’ve had the privilege of helping to create an environment where mathematical thinking drives innovation across disciplines.

In my role as Associate Dean of Infrastructure Planning, it’s been deeply fulfilling to help design and develop physical and infrastructural facilities that support our academic mission.

What truly makes BPDC special is its holistic approach to education. We don’t just deliver content — we create conditions where academic rigour, student well-being, and future readiness coexist.

Being part of BPDC’s journey has been more than a career — it’s been an opportunity to help shape futures. And that, to me, is the greatest equation of all.

Robotics

In alignment with the Dubai Robotics and Automation Program’s vision to advance the role of robotics in the city’s economy by 2032, BITS Pilani, Dubai Campus (BPDC) has taken proactive steps in the field of Robotics and Automation.

The institute currently offers a minor in this domain to engineering students across disciplines and has actively fostered student innovation through mentorship in competitions such as the University Innovation Program.

FAD

BPDC currently has around 85 faculty members, with the number expected to exceed 100 in the upcoming academic year to support the growing range of academic programmes.

The faculty comprises PhD graduates from prestigious institutions, with several holding postdoctoral fellowships from renowned international universities.

The Chemical Engineering Department at BITS Pilani Dubai Campus established in 2005, has been committed to academic excellence, innovation, and student-centric learning. The department places strong emphasis on hands-on learning, pedagogical innovation, and personalised mentoring to ensure students are well-equipped for both academia and industry.

As a unique practice, students are introduced to laboratory settings before classroom instruction begins for any new topic. This early exposure allows them to experience core chemical engineering concepts in action, making theoretical learning more intuitive and impactful.

To reinforce computational proficiency, all core courses incorporate industry-relevant software tools such as ASPEN, MATLAB, and Excel. These tools are widely used in the chemical industry, and students are trained to use them for simulations, process design, and data analysis.

Department of Biotechnology

Prof. Neeru Sood has been associated with the Department of Biotechnology at BPDC for 20 years. Fondly reminiscing her association with the institution she says, “During my years of teaching, I have witnessed the transformative impact of innovative pedagogical practices on students’ learning. I believe making science easy to understand, and interesting, helps students to grasp the fundamental concepts effectively.”

The department of Biotechnology runs two flagship UG programs: BE in Biotechnology and BE in Biotechnology with specialisation in Applied Molecular Biology. Both lay emphasis on hands-on training. Our students graduate with industry-ready skills and research competence.

Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering

Our teaching philosophy is grounded in connecting theoretical concepts to real-world applications. We aim to bridge the gap between classroom learning and practical challenges. Incorporating case studies, interactive simulations, and project-based learning helps students visualize complex systems and develop a problem-solving mindset. We actively integrate digital tools such as remote sensing, GIS technologies, and modeling software into coursework, encouraging students to explore the frontiers of smart infrastructure and sustainable design.

At BPDC, we are we are nurturing leaders who will build resilient and sustainable communities.

Department of Admissions

As the very first employee of the university and a proud member of its founding team, I feel immense pride and joy in reflecting on this remarkable 25-year journey.

Being part of the Dubai Campus growth, from its earliest days of vision and planning to the thriving institution it is today, has been an extraordinary privilege. One of my proudest achievements has been upholding the legacy and standards of our parent campus while establishing and nurturing the university’s presence in a foreign land. Being a part of this effort has allowed me to contribute meaningfully to the institutions success - an institution that has seen nearly 7,000 students graduate and currently has over 1,700 students on its rolls.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

As the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at BPDC, I am delighted to highlight two pivotal elements of our educational approach: Project-Based Learning (PBL) and faculty-student research collaboration.

PBI is a dynamic teaching method where students actively engage in real-world challenges, working collaboratively to devise solutions. Equally significant is our emphasis on involving students in faculty-led research initiatives. This collaboration provides students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge research, allowing them to contribute meaningfully to scientific advancements.

Electrical and Electronics Engineering

The Electrical and Electronics Engineering department at BPDC has been a lighthouse of hope and inspiration for the Indian community in the Middle East for the past 25 years, providing world-class education close to any top-class international institute. The journey of building academic excellence has been grounded in rigorous curriculum design, outcome-based education, state-of-the-art laboratories, and research-led teaching.

The faculty of EEE continues to uphold the spirit of excellence in serving both the Indian community abroad and the emerging needs of the UAE. As the proverb says, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success.”

Department of Management Studies

The Department of Management Studies, BPDC, continues to elevate its position as a hub for modern business education by offering forward-looking management programmes. The Department offers two postgraduate programmes - MBA and MBA in Business Analytics, and a cutting-edge undergraduate programme - BBA (Hons.).

The MBA programme provides exposure to marketing, finance, HR, information systems and operations. The MBA in Business Analytics focuses on developing analytical thinking and data-driven decision-making skills. With a robust curriculum and strong industry integration, it aims to produce proficient business analysts and strategic problem-solvers.

Humanities and Social Sciences

The Humanities and Social Sciences (HSS) disciplines are pivotal in shaping well-rounded engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs at BPDC.

The institute recognises that technical expertise alone is insufficient in a world marked by complex social, ethical and cultural challenges. HSS courses, ranging from philosophy, sociology, psychology, and economics to political science, international relations, law, literature, and communication, equip students with critical thinking and an understanding of societal dynamics.

HSS at BITS Pilani nurtures leadership, civic responsibility, and a global outlook. This blend of technology and human insight defines the BPDC experience.