Omar backs ‘Design your degree’ model, says it empowers students to shape career

‘Design Your Degree’ (DYD) programme under the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) empowers students to shape their education according to their interests, enhancing their skills and aligning them with evolving job market demands, said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah while addressing the inaugural session of a three-day workshop on ‘Capacity Building in Innovation Pedagogy for the Implementation of NEP-2020’ at Brig Rajinder Singh Auditorium, University of Jammu.

The workshop is being organised by the Malaviya Mission Teacher Training Centre (MMTTC) in collaboration with the Skill Incubation, Innovation, Entrepreneurship Development Center (SIIEDC), University of Jammu. The event was attended by Vice-Chancellor of Jammu University Professor Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellors of SMVD University, BGSBS University, and Cluster University of Jammu, along with senior faculty members, principals of various colleges and students.

“As Jammu and Kashmir’s private sector expands—particularly in industry and tourism—and as the region integrates further into the national economy, more job opportunities will emerge. With Jammu University gaining national recognition, students equipped with relevant skills will have a competitive advantage,” he said.

He emphasised that the Design Your Degree programme marks a transformative shift in education by allowing students to study subjects that genuinely interest them. “This is a significant change from the traditional model, where students were told what to study. Now, they have the freedom to design their degree, enhancing both their academic experience and career prospects,” he said.

Discussing future prospects in fields like artificial intelligence (AI), agriculture and tourism, the Chief Minister highlighted AI’s growing impact on education and industry.“Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how we approach learning and work. While it presents challenges, like the ease of using tools like ChatGPT for academic tasks, it also offers immense opportunities for innovation and growth,” he observed.

He acknowledged the role of faculty members from Delhi University, pioneers of the Design Your Degree initiative, in guiding the programme’s implementation. “This shift requires a change in mindset for both students and teachers. Traditionally, teachers were told what to teach. Now, students are asked, ‘What do you want to learn?’ and teachers must adapt their approach accordingly. The expertise of these eminent professors is invaluable as we navigate this transition,” he added.

The Chief Minister expressed his commitment to supporting Jammu University in its academic endeavors, both in his individual capacity and as the Pro-Chancellor of the university. “I assure you that as long as I am here, I will do whatever I can to help Jammu University grow and thrive,” he affirmed. Congratulating the Vice-Chancellor, faculty, and students of Jammu University for achieving the prestigious NAAC A++ accreditation, CM extended his best wishes for the success of the three-day workshop.