JAMMU: Cluster University of Jammu organised the inaugural ceremony of a Two-Day Faculty Training-cum-Workshop on the Design Your Degree (DYD) Programme at Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu, in preparation for the implementation of the programme from the Academic Session 2026-27 under NEP 2020.
The workshop was inaugurated by Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Jammu, as the Chief Guest, while Dr. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir, Director Colleges, graced the occasion as the Guest of Honour.Registrar, Controller Examination, Deans , Principals , Financial Advisor and faculty attended the event.
The proceedings commenced with a formal welcome address by Dean Academic Affairs, Dr. Twinkle Suri, who highlighted the transformative vision of the DYD Programme and described it as a progressive step towards creating a flexible, multidisciplinary, and learner-centric educational ecosystem in alignment with NEP 2020.
Dr. Kulvinder Kour, Principal, GCW Gandhi Nagar, expressed her delight at hosting the workshop and emphasised the importance of innovation, interdisciplinary, and skill-based learning in higher education.
Around 50 faculty members from GCW Gandhi Nagar are participating in the workshop to gain hands-on understanding of the philosophy, framework, curriculum design, and implementation modalities of the DYD Programme which will initially have an intake of 25 students to ensure focused and phased implementation.
In his address, Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar underscored the transformative potential of DYD in redefining higher education through flexibility, interdisciplinarity, and student choice. He also candidly highlighted the challenges associated with implementing a new academic framework and stressed the importance of proper faculty training, preparedness, and institutional readiness for the effective execution of the programme.
Dr. Sheikh Ajaz Bashir appreciated the university's initiative and emphasised collaborative efforts, faculty preparedness, and academic planning for the successful implementation of the programme.
The workshop featured eminent Resource Persons, including Prof. Shobha Baghai and Dr. Saleem Mir from the Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi; Dr. Asif Ali Banka from the Islamic University of Science and Technology,Srinagar; and Dr. Alpana Vohra , Associate Professor and Coordinator DYD, GCW parade.
During the technical sessions, Prof. Shobha Baghai deliberated upon the vision of NEP 2020 and the role of the Design Your Degree (DYD) framework in addressing challenges such as rigid disciplinary boundaries, fragmented learning, and limited interdisciplinary exposure through a more flexible and student-centric approach. As per the Undergraduate Curriculum and Credit Framework.
Dr. Saleem Mir conducted an engaging session on Experiential and Community-Based Learning, emphasising "learning by doing" and the integration of academic learning with real-world community engagement to nurture critical thinking, teamwork, social responsibility, and problem-solving skills among students.
Dr. Alpana Vohra delivered a session on the Higher Education Curriculum pattern and semester-wise course structure under DYD, highlighting major-minor courses, elective baskets, internships, MOOCs, skill enhancement, and experiential learning components.
Dr. Asif Ali Banka highlighted IUST's innovative, interdisciplinary, and activity-based learning model, emphasizing project-based curriculum, real-world problem-solving, and the need to nurture socially aware learners beyond exam-oriented education.
The sessions were interactive and enriching, enabling participants to engage in meaningful discussions on innovative teaching-learning practices and the practical implementation of the DYD framework.The programme was coordinated by Dr. Aran, who facilitated the smooth conduct of the workshop.