Released on: April 4, 2008, 4:04 am

Press Release Author: Dr BR Natarajan

Industry: Internet & Online

Press Release Summary: Right from 1979, BITS Pilani which is one among the top
ranking universities in India today has set a benchmark in Industry University
collaborations for addressing the Human Resource Development issue of various
industries by launching an array of work integrated learning programmes to synergize
the workplace requirements of the industry with the learning requirements of the
university.

Press Release Body: Birla Institute of Technology & Science, Pilani Rajasthan is a
Deemed University (established under section 3 of the UGC Act. 1956 under
notification no. F.12-23/63.U-2 dated 18th June, 1964) running educational
programmes both on-campus as well as off-campus, offering degrees at all
three-tiers, namely, Integrated First Degree, Higher Degree and Ph.D.

Yahoo! Software Development India Private Limited Bangalore focuses on Product
Engineering, Technology Research, Market Innovation, Content and Experience
Management Services, develops innovative technologies and global product platforms
for Yahoo! Inc. & Yahoo! Web Services India Private Limited, provides Internet
services, technological tools and marketing solutions for businesses and offers
products and services such as Search, Communications and Commercial services.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between BITS and Yahoo! Bangalore was signed
on Thursday, April 03, 2008 at Pilani with the objective of fostering collaboration
between the two institutions to promote academic and research interactions for
Industry-centric knowledge and skill upgradation. The MoU was signed by Prof L K
Maheshwari Vice Chancellor on behalf of BITS Pilani and Mr Pranesh Anthapur Chief
Operating Officer on behalf of Yahoo!.

BITS would operate an off-campus centre at Bangalore and run educational programs to
meet the human resources development needs of Yahoo! leading to specific degrees of
BITS through its Work Integrated Learning Programs. These programs will have the
same rigour and standards as those offered on-campus, and will be equivalent to the
corresponding degrees offered on-campus.

The educational programmes conducted under this collaborative arrangement will offer
the employees of Yahoo! an opportunity to enhance their academic qualification and
synergize theory and practice on a sustained basis so as to be multi-skilled with
exposure to upcoming technological areas thus enabling them to appreciate key
management concepts and participate better in organizational initiatives, improve
their perspective, and provide meaningful insights.

Yahoo! would make available the necessary infrastructural facilities (such as
classrooms with necessary equipment, library facilities, computer and communication
facilities with access to electronic mail and Internet) for the smooth and effective
conduct of the educational programmes. Yahoo! would also actively provide corporate
support and enable identified resource persons of the company to participate in the
pedagogic aspects of the programme, wherever necessary and would also endeavor to
make available the necessary facilities for the implementation and continuation of
the Practice School Program of BITS, Pilani.

The candidates admitted to the BITS programmes under this collaborative arrangement
will be treated as BITS students and will be governed by the fee structure and
academic regulations of BITS and also by the service rules and regulations specified
by the collaborating organization.

A Coordination Committee consisting of Vice-Chancellor, BITS as Chairman, and two
nominees each from Yahoo! and BITS would plan, coordinate and monitor the academic
and research programmes as well as all related operational matters within the
framework of the academic regulations of BITS and the objectives outlined by Yahoo!.

In India today, this tie-up of Yahoo! Bangalore with BITS Pilani marks yet another
milestone in Industry University Collaborations.

About BITS Pilani: Birla Institute of Technology and Science (BITS) Pilani Rajasthan
which has the reputation of pioneering the online examinations for admissions in
India today through the path breaking BITSAT offers degrees in various disciplines
presently at Pilani, Dubai, Goa campuses and in the short future at Hyderabad campus
apart from an array of work integrated learning programmes for HRD of a vast
spectrum of Indian corporates. The alumni of the Institute are spread across the
globe from Australia to America.

Web Site: http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in

Contact Details: Dr BR Natarajan
Professor
BITS Pilani (Rajasthan) 333031 India
Phone: 91-1596-242210
Fax: 91-1596-244183
Email: brnt@bits-pilani.ac.in
http://www.bits-pilani.ac.in