MAM
BITS Pilani ropes in edtech veteran Samit Dayal to lead digital push
MUMBAI: BITS Pilani has appointed seasoned education and SaaS executive Samit Dayal as general manager – institutional engagement at BITS Pilani Digital, its ambitious foray into the online learning space. With a 25-year track record of launching and scaling multimillion-dollar education and tech ventures across South Asia and the Middle East, Dayal is expected to power BITS’ plans of reaching over 100,000 students in five years.
In his new role, Dayal will drive partnerships with colleges, universities and edtech platforms, integrate online courses into existing curricula, and design school outreach programmes—all aimed at cementing BITS Pilani Digital’s presence in India’s rapidly evolving higher education market.
Dayal most recently served as business head at SafeBus (MTAP Technologies), where he drove Rs 1 crore in revenue, led an international foray into Germany and the Gulf, and maintained a 100 per cent renewal rate across key school contracts.
Earlier, as vice president – education at FranklinCovey South Asia, he built the India and SAARC operations from scratch, raking in over $400,000 in revenues and forging license deals across Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka and the Maldives. His previous stints also include key leadership roles at HeadHonchos, Career Launcher, and i360, with a deep focus on franchise expansion, B2B/B2C education sales, and executive learning programmes.
Known for his strategic acumen and people-first approach, Dayal blends mindfulness with aggressive go-to-market tactics. With the Indian edtech sector shifting from boom to consolidation, his entry signals BITS Pilani’s serious intent to dominate the digital education space—not just with legacy, but with lethal execution.
Brands
Hyundai and TVS Motor partner to develop electric three wheelers
Joint development pact targets last mile mobility with localisation push
MUMBAI: Three wheels, one big ambition and a charge towards the future. Hyundai Motor Company and TVS Motor Company have signed a joint development agreement to co-create electric three-wheelers (E3Ws), aiming to crack India’s complex last-mile mobility puzzle. The collaboration moves beyond concept talk into execution mode, building on the E3W prototype first showcased at the Bharat Mobility Global Expo 2025. The goal now is clear, design, develop and commercialise a purpose-built vehicle tailored to Indian roads, riders and realities.
Under the agreement, Hyundai will lead design and co-development, bringing its global R&D muscle and human-centric engineering approach to the table. TVS Motor, meanwhile, will anchor the product on its electric platform, leveraging deep three-wheeler expertise and local market insight. It will also handle manufacturing and sales in India, with an eye on exports down the line.
The timing is strategic. India remains the world’s largest three-wheeler market, where affordability, durability and adaptability often outweigh sheer innovation. The upcoming E3W aims to strike that balance combining advanced technology with practical features such as adaptive ground clearance for monsoon-hit roads, improved thermal management for tropical climates, and flexible interiors suited for passengers, cargo or emergency use.
A key pillar of the partnership is localisation. Major components will be sourced and manufactured within India, a move expected to strengthen the domestic supply chain, create jobs, lower costs and improve after-sales support.
The shift from prototype to production will involve rigorous testing, certification and refinement to meet regulatory standards and consumer expectations. Dedicated cross-functional teams from both companies are already in place to accelerate timelines.
At a broader level, the tie-up reflects a growing trend in mobility, global players partnering with local specialists to navigate emerging markets. For Hyundai and TVS, the bet is that combining scale with street-level insight could unlock a new chapter in sustainable urban transport, one that runs not just on electricity, but on relevance.
