BITS Pilani to offer PhD courses through School of Interdisciplinary Research and Entrepreneurship

SIRE would offer various interdisciplinary PhD and minor programs with focus on cross-disciplinary innovation

BITS Pilani has unveiled The School of Interdisciplinary Research and Entrepreneurship (SIRE). This dynamic online platform is designed to propel research and innovation by bringing together individuals from diverse academic backgrounds to tackle complex challenges through teamwork and a fusion of various research methodologies.

SIRE's primary objective is to cultivate a unique environment where scholars engage in interdisciplinary collaboration to push the boundaries of research and innovation. This transformative initiative marks a significant stride in BITS Pilani's dedication to promoting a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration.

Heading the newly established department is Prof. Hitesh Datt Mathur, who expressed his excitement about the venture, stating, "I am honored to take on the role of Head of SIRE at BITS Pilani. SIRE represents an exciting frontier in fostering partnerships leading to research and entrepreneurship in multi-disciplinary areas, which is key in the futuristic R&D landscape."

SIRE will primarily offer various interdisciplinary Ph.D. programs, including the PhD DRIVE program, and manage existing interdisciplinary research and innovation programs such as CDRF, PhD programs under various Centers of Excellence (CoE), SPARKLE, SOLVE, and more.

Dean of Research and Innovation, Prof. Sanket Goel, shared his enthusiasm about the initiative, saying, "SIRE shows how much we want to learn new things, work together on different topics, and support creative people who will shape the future of research and starting businesses."

In its initial phase, SIRE plans to welcome nearly a hundred scholars into its cohort, creating a vibrant and collaborative research community. The institution is actively recruiting additional Ph.D. scholars under the PhD DRIVE scheme, with plans to have around 105 scholars by March 2024. The last date to apply for the PhD DRIVE program is 15th February.