Indian Army and the Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani will actively collaborate in research in frontier areas of technology such as robotics, artificial intelligence and computer simulation to improve the Army's command and control and surveillance systems.

The Army's association with BITS Pilani is part of its plan to increase technological capabilities through engagement with premium institutions in the country, Chief of Army Staff General V K Singh said at the Pilani campus of BITS today.

This would also help the Army attract talent from the top technology institutes in the country.

"It is the intent of the Indian Army to do its utmost to ensure that we collaborate with premium institutes such as BITS Pilani to utilse the full potential of technological knowledge and expertise. We are looking forward to a lasting fruitful association with BITS Pilani," General Singh said.

Just as technology has revolutionised the Army, General Singh said, it is equally important to upgrade technology on an active and continuous basis so as to ultimately benefit the armed forces.
 
"We are proud to be called upon by the Indian Army to collaborate on science and innovation. We wholeheartedly welcome this opportunity and look forward to the association.

We invite Army officers to take advantage of our postgraduate programmes and gain access to our innovative and effective work integrated learning programmes that have successfully enhanced the knowledge and capabilities of 16,000 professionals in the past," Professor B N Jain, vice chancellor of BITS Pilani, said at the ceremony.

Professor Jain reaffirmed the institute's continued support to the Indian Army both in terms of service and resources for collaborative research.

"Additionally we would like our students to work and spend time at Army cantonments to understand the gaps in the technology and specific requirements that can be developed by them," he added.

"We thank General VK Singh for his support and leadership to develop this association. The prospect of collaborating with the Indian Army on research and education is exciting. The exact form of the collaboration will take shape in the coming weeks and will be announced," Professor Raghurama, director of Pilani Campus, said.
 
General Singh toured the institute and interacted with the students and staff. He also watched a demonstration of the humanoid `AcYut' built by the BITS students. The robot had won recognition at the national and international level. 

The Army chief invited the faculty and students of BITS Pilani to visit the cantonments and units to gain a better understanding of the Army's operation.

Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani is an all-India institution declared as a deemed to be university. It has campuses at Goa, Hyderabad and Dubai. BITS offers programmes in graduate to doctoral levels in various disciplines of science, technology, pharmacy and management.