Chennai: The CSIR-Structural Engineering Research Centre (CSIR-SERC) and Birla Institute of Technology & Science (BITS), Pilani have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote academic and research collaboration.

The MoU was exchanged at CSIR-SERC, Chennai, in the presence of Dr. N. Anandavalli, Director, CSIR-SERC; Prof. Annapoorna Gopal, Dean, Practice School Division (PSD), BITS Pilani; and Smt. R Bharathi, Faculty-WILPD Sciences, Core Engineering Group, BITS Pilani.

Senior scientists from CSIR-SERC including Dr. S. Parivallal, Chief Scientist & Advisor (Management); Dr. K. Sathish Kumar, Chief Scientist and Head, BKMD; Dr. Mohit Verma, Principal Scientist and Coordinator; Dr. M.B. Anoop, Chief Scientist; Dr. (Ing.) Saptarshi Sasmal, Chief Scientist; and Dr. S. Vishnu Vardhan, Senior Principal Scientist, were also present during the exchange.

The meeting also discussed internship opportunities for BITS Pilani students for the July-December 2025 semester. A detailed proforma and internship requirements were shared with BITS Pilani to facilitate the student allotment process.

Both institutions expressed their commitment to establishing a long-term, mutually beneficial partnership in research and academic pursuits.