Srinagar, Sep 10 (JKNS): Cluster University Srinagar on Wednesday organised a one-day workshop on the Design Your Degree (DYD) Programme at Amar Singh College, bringing together coordinators, mentors, and academic leaders from constituent colleges, University of Kashmir, and Islamia College of Science & Commerce.
As per news agency JKNS, The workshop was inaugurated by Vice Chancellor CUS, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Mobin, who in his address underscored the significance of DYD in line with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
He stressed that the initiative empowers students to design their own academic pathways through multidisciplinary choices, experiential learning, and project-based approaches, calling for a shift in higher education towards flexibility and innovation.
Technical sessions were conducted by experts from the Cluster Innovation Centre, University of Delhi. Prof. Shobha Bagai delivered an extensive lecture on the DYD framework and its integration with NEP-2020, focusing on curriculum innovation, pedagogy, experiential education, and project-based learning. Prof. Jyoti Sharma followed with a detailed presentation on assessment rubrics for DYD, highlighting innovative evaluation methods for multidisciplinary projects and learning outcomes.
Prof. Seema Naz outlined the groundwork carried out by CUS for implementing DYD, citing curriculum design, pedagogy, and innovative practices with transformative potential for higher education in the region. Prof. Syeda Afshana, Coordinator DYD at the University of Kashmir, shared insights on KU’s implementation model, while Dr. Sajad Sarvar of Islamia College explained the evaluation and assessment mechanisms developed at his institution.
Earlier, Principal Amar Singh College, Prof. Aijaz Ahmad Hakak, welcomed participants and detailed the DYD-related initiatives already underway at the college. These include orientation workshops, curriculum development, expert lectures, establishment of the Design Your Degree Innovation Centre, and academic MoUs with partner institutions.
Among the dignitaries present were Dean Academic Affairs CUS, Prof. Nazir Ahmad Simnani; Nodal Principal Kashmir Division Colleges and Principal GCOE, Prof. Seema Naz; Principal Islamia College, Prof. Tehmina Yousuf; Registrar CUS, Prof. Syed Wilayat Hussain Rizvi; Controller of Examinations CUS, Prof. Khurshid Ahmad Mir; Dean Commerce & Management, Prof. G.M. Lone; and Dean Sciences, Prof. Nighat Nisreen.
The day-long sessions concluded with an interactive Q&A round, where participants deliberated on curriculum models, evaluation techniques, and strategies for effective implementation. The workshop also saw the launch of the inaugural issue of the Bulletin of the Design Your Degree Innovation Centre, Amar Singh College, documenting key initiatives and innovations.
In the valedictory session, the deliberations were summed up with the observation that DYD represents not just a structural reform but a paradigm shift in higher education, placing students at the core of academic design. The proceedings were moderated by Dr. Zubair Nazeer, Coordinator DYD at Amar Singh College. (JKNS)
