BITS Pilani, an ‘Institution of Eminence’ by the Government of India, has forayed into Design Education with the launch of BITS Design School (BITSDES) modelled on top global design institutes and is being set up in Mumbai. BITS Design school will combine Technology, Business, and Entrepreneurship with the creative arts to nurture a new generation of future ready Design professionals poised to contribute actively to India’s aspiration to be a developed nation by 2047.
BITS Design School will introduce a four-year, residential, Bachelor of Design (Honours) programme in the academic year 2024-25, followed by a Master’s Degree programme and a Faculty Development programme for Design Educators over the next two years. A fully residential permanent campus will house BITS Design School, BITS School of Management, and BITS Law School. It is being built over 63 acres in the Mumbai. While the permanent campus will be operational in early 2025, BITS Design School will commence its first academic session in August 2024 out of the interim campus in Powai, Mumbai.
Speaking on the occasion, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chancellor, BITS Pilani said, “Design is increasingly pivotal in addressing the complexities of the new age. From manufacturing to services, and retail to technology, design is shaping the future of how businesses approach problem-solving and innovation. BITS Design School will reimagine design education with a bold, trans-disciplinary, competency based approach, and embrace avenues where design can positively impact people, businesses, and the world. BITS Pilani, with its rich legacy of academic excellence and trans-disciplinary thinking, is uniquely positioned to do this. And in the process, we will nurture a new generation of leaders who will use design to create value and solve problems for a better world.”
Admissions open on 26 Feb 2024 for the founding class who will be taught by international visiting faculty and a marquee Indian faculty trained at the top Design schools in the world. In the second year of the programme, students can choose from the five streams offered for specialisation – Physical Product Design, Digital Product Design (UI/UX), Human Centred Design, Experience Design, and Visual Design.
BITSDES students will gain access to and benefit from the 1,80,000+ BITS Pilani Alumni Network spanning 55 Countries, one of the strongest and most illustrious networks of industry leaders, founders, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders. A dedicated career support office will facilitate students’ preparedness, exposure, and access to leading Design firms, corporations, banks, NGOs, and research organizations.
Meritorious students will receive generous scholarships to enable access and ensure diversity of the cohort.
