Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Pilani (BITS Pilani) has received a seed funding gift of $ 1 Million from alumnus and entrepreneur Anurag Jain to establish a new Center of Excellence dedicated to research, innovation, and education in advanced materials at the institute’s Goa campus that would require multi million investment over years.
The *AMRIT – Anurag Jain Materials Research and Innovation Center of Excellence* will bring together researchers, students, industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and international academic partners to develop advanced materials and translate laboratory breakthroughs into commercially viable technologies.
The center will initially focus on two-dimensional and functional materials, with potential applications in batteries and supercapacitors, hydrogen production and fuel cells, photovoltaics, carbon capture, utilization and storage, semiconductors, sensors, and other strategically important technologies.
“Advanced materials are foundational to many of the technologies India is seeking to build—from batteries and hydrogen systems to semiconductors and sensors,” said Professor V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice-Chancellor of BITS Pilani. “Too often, promising materials research remains confined to the laboratory. The AMRIT Center will pursue cutting-edge research with a clear path toward practical application, improved manufacturing processes, and commercialization. It will also educate and train hundreds of researchers, engineers, and specialists for careers in academia and industry.”
Jain, a member of BITS Pilani’s 1988 graduating class, is chairman of Access Healthcare, a global healthcare services platform, and co-founder and managing partner of Perot Jain, a Dallas-based venture capital firm investing in artificial intelligence, robotics, and computer vision. He previously served as president of Perot Systems and Dell Services. Jain is also chairman emeritus of the North Texas Food Bank and a co-founder of Get Shift Done.
“India has an extraordinary opportunity to become a global leader in advanced materials and the transformative technologies they enable,” said Anurag Jain. “Building that leadership will require world-class research, outstanding talent, strong industry partnerships, and the ability to move discoveries from the laboratory into practical use. Our ambition is for the AMRIT Center to bring these elements together – creating intellectual property, supporting new ventures, and developing technologies that strengthen India’s capabilities while addressing challenges of global importance.”
The center is being established as India expands public investment in critical minerals, semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and other strategic industries. National initiatives such as the National Critical Mineral Mission and Semicon India reflect the growing importance of developing domestic expertise and capacity across the materials value chain.
Against this backdrop, the AMRIT Center will seek to strengthen India’s technological self-reliance while building an internationally recognized research program. It plans to collaborate with leading universities, laboratories, companies, and experts in India and around the world. Distinguished scientists, entrepreneurs, and industry leaders are also expected to advise the center and help guide its research, partnerships, and path to impact.
The center’s work will extend beyond fundamental research. It will support technology translation, industry collaboration, intellectual-property development, and the creation of materials-focused startups. By connecting scientific discovery with manufacturing and commercial applications, the center aims to help shorten the journey from breakthrough research to technologies that can be deployed at scale.
“We are deeply grateful to Anurag Jain for his vision and generosity,” said Professor Arya Kumar, Dean of Alumni Relations at BITS Pilani. “This investment will give future generations of engineers and scientists access to advanced infrastructure, interdisciplinary research opportunities, and global expertise. It will enable them to address urgent challenges, contribute meaningful solutions to industry, and help build the next generation of science- and technology-driven companies in India.”
