JU gears up for admission of the second batch of UG Program Design Your Degree; VC interacts with students, parents

Gearing up for admission of the second batch of students under innovative  Under Graduate ‘Design Your Degree’ programme, the University of Jammu has launched the schedule for generating awareness among prospective students and their parents in the Campus.

While the first such session witnessed enthusiastic participation of the students and their parents, the other two sittings have been scheduled for May 17 and 24 this month to offer further opportunities for personalized interactions between participants and faculty members, ensuring that all queries and concerns are thoroughly addressed. Such initiatives underscore the University's commitment to empowering students in making informed decisions about their academic futures.

The registration process for the Entrance Examination began on April 22 and the last date to apply is May 29, 2024. The Entrance Examination will be held on June 1 and the academic session will begin from August this year.

During the first awareness cum interactive session with the students and the parents, Vice Chancellor Prof Umesh Rai delved in detail on the significance of this UG programme and its alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020), emphasizing its motto, "Teach to Transform, Educate to Empower and Learn to Lead."

Explaining the key features of the programme, specifically designed for undergraduate students, Prof. Rai said it has been carefully structured to meet the needs of the market and offers a well-rounded and interdisciplinary learning experience. The "Design Your Degree" initiative is intentionally crafted to empower students to shift from seeking jobs to creating opportunities, granting them the freedom to choose subjects aligned with their passions and aspirations and encouraging them to march to the beat of their own drum, he added.

The Vice-Chancellor said the initiative is aimed at cultivating a broad spectrum of skills among students, including essential abilities like life skills, soft skills, teamwork, analytical capabilities, digital and technical proficiency, problem-solving prowess, mathematical abilities, and critical and creative thinking.

During the question-answer session, Prof  Rai engaged in a productive discussion with students and their parents, ranging from clarifying the degree's potential for conferring a B.Tech qualification to inquiries about joining the program midway, exploring opportunities for further studies, especially in law, and the prospects of campus placements at the University of Jammu.

Participating in the interaction, Prof. Alka Sharma, Director of the Skill Incubation Innovation Entrepreneurial Development Center (SIIEDC), welcomed the audience and threw light on the impressive progress made by the previous batch within just six months of their first semester.

She emphasized the importance of the various skill development workshops and training sessions attended by students, highlighting enhancements in teamwork, creative and critical thinking, mathematical abilities, and reasoning skills among them.

Prof. Sadaf Shah, Associate Director of the Skill Incubation Innovation Entrepreneurial Development Center (SIIEDC), in an engaging presentation, elaborated on the Foundation Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP) of DYD and emphasized its relevance in the current educational landscape. She also provided a comprehensive overview of the program's structure and its key features.

The first batch of second-semester DYD students actively participated in the event, engaging closely with prospective students and their parents. They offered valuable feedback and addressed numerous queries, contributing to a productive dialogue. Faculty members adeptly responded to these questions, further enriching the discussions. The energetic participation of students added depth to the conversation, with insightful suggestions being shared.

The Open House Interaction facilitated one-on-one interactions between participants and faculty members, allowing for personalized guidance to address queries and concerns, thereby aiding students in making informed decisions about their academic futures.

The University of Jammu reiterated its commitment to innovation and excellence in education is further underscored by the recognition garnered by the Design Your Degree program, both nationally and internationally. The endorsement by the Standing Committee of the Parliamentary Board for Women Education and Sports signifies the program's potential to revolutionize higher education and is a testament to its transformative impact.

The University of Jammu is making a big leap forward in transforming higher education through its  "Open House Interaction",  which focuses on the innovative four-year undergraduate Degree program: Design Your Degree. This event aimed to raise awareness and understanding among students and parents about the program's transformative possibilities, demonstrating the university's commitment to empowering students, as they navigate their educational odyssey. The University is committed to encouraging more conversations and ensuring prospective students and their parents have clear information.

Among those present in the interactive session included Prof. Charak, Head of the Department of Mathematics, Dr. Sandeep Arya, Dr. Sunil Kumar, Dr. Shallu Sehgal, with Dr. Pallavi Sachdeva hosting the proceedings.