Principals Applaud University of Jammu’s Transformative ‘Design Your Degree’ Program at Interactive Meet

 

Jammu, 1st November 2025

The University of Jammu convened a Principals Meet with heads of higher secondary schools across Jammu City to introduce the “Design Your Degree (DYD)” program—an innovative four-year undergraduate course first launched in 2023. The DYD program stands out for its student-centric, interdisciplinary design that empowers learners to create a personalized academic journey aligned with their career aspirations and interests. Rooted in the principles of flexibility and choice, the program allows students to explore diverse domains of knowledge before choosing a pathway that fits their goals—whether in arts, sciences, commerce, technology, or beyond. With a unique blend of foundational learning and advanced specialization, the DYD program exemplifies the transformative spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Prof. Umesh Rai, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor of the University, reiterated the transformative potential of the DYD program within the framework of NEP 2020, emphasizing its skills-first approach. He highlighted the program’s focus on developing analytical thinking, mathematical reasoning, communication skills, creativity, and critical thinking—the traits essential for the global workforce of the future. Prof. J. P. Joorel, Dean of Academic Affairs and Professor in the Department of Statistics, elaborated on the future of DYD, emphasizing its relevance not only locally but also globally as a model of flexible and forward-looking higher education.

In her welcome address, Prof. Alka Sharma, Director of SIIDEC, introduced the DYD program to principals from various government and private schools across the Jammu division. She encouraged the attendees to actively participate in the open and dynamic interaction session, voicing their questions and insights freely.

Prof. Sadaf Shah, Associate Director of SIIDEC, provided a detailed presentation on the academic structure, admission process, and unique features of the DYD curriculum. She explained how the first two years are dedicated to foundational skill development, after which students are empowered to design their own degree pathways in disciplines such as B.A., B.Sc., B.Com., or B.Tech. (IT), among others.

The event was enriched by the presence and insights of DYD mentors, including Prof. K. S. Charak, Prof. Anil Gupta, Dr. Jatinder Manhas, Dr. Sunil Bhougal, Dr. Sandeep Singh, Dr. Pallavi Sachdeva, Dr. Chinmoyee Maharana, Dr. Ripu Daman Parihar, Dr. Sarika Verma, Dr. Manish, Dr. Jyoti, and Dr. Sakshi. The session was conducted by Dr. Pallavi Sachdeva, Assistant Professor in the Department of Life-long Learning and mentor in the DYD program.

The session concluded on a high note, with attendees expressing appreciation for the DYD team led by Honourable Vice Chancellor for the University’s forward-thinking initiative. Many participants acknowledged the DYD program as a timely response to the evolving educational and employment landscape of India. The University of Jammu continues its mission to “Educate to Empower, Teach to Transform, Learn to Lead”, ushering in a new era of personalized, skill-centric undergraduate education.This program, while aligned with NEP 2020 in letter and spirit, will be a bigger contributor to Vikshit Bharat.

For more information on the DYD program, please visit https://www.jammuuniversity.ac.in/dyd/Introduction.