Quark is the annual international techno-management festival of BITS Pilani, K.K. Birla Goa Campus. It usually takes place in early February, and has thousands of participants. Launched as a local event in 2006, Quark became a national event in 2008. Since then, Quark has consistently seen participation from colleges across India. It usually features various events pertaining to the different engineering branches as well as the pure sciences, but has more recently expanded the range of events to include various events, related to entrepreneurship. and business.It ​has grown manifold since its inception in 2006 and has made a name for itself as an avant-garde technical festival, showcasing the latest innovations and hosting pioneers in the fields of science and technology. Since 2013, Quark has been awarded UNESCO Patronage, the highest form of support granted to an organization, being only the third fest in India to receive the same. History Quark 2006 was the first version and was an intra-campus competition Quark 2007 turned Quark into a local inter college Goa festival. Quark 2008 went national for the first time, featuring participation from colleges across India. It highlights included an aero modelling workshop followed by an air show, a magic show, and a performance by the juggling troupe "Feeding the Fish" from London. Quark 2009 saw greater participation than in the previous edition, playing host to around 5000 students from 350 colleges across India. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, inaugurated the festival, the inaugural speech also being streamed live to the Pilani Campus. Performances by internationally renowned flutist Padma Vibhushan Pt. Hariprasad Chaurasia and a fire show by the Carnival of the Divine Imagination(rhythmic fire and light performance group from Brisbane, Australia) pulled huge crowds. BITSMUN (BITS Model United Nations) made its maiden appearance during this edition. ACYUT 2, a humanoid robot made by BITS students, was a significant attraction during the 3 days of the festival. Quark 2010 surpassed its predecessor in terms of popularity as it attracted more than 35,000 students from different national colleges. The festival was inaugurated by the Honorable Chancellor of BITS, Pilani University Mr. Kumar Mangalam Birla. Guest Lectures by Mr. Vic Hayes (known as the Father of Wi-Fi), Nobel Laureates - Prof. Harry Kroto and Prof. Douglas Osheroff, and delegates from Mozilla Foundation were prominent features of Quark 2010. This edition marked the expansion of the festival to international grounds. Graviton,