Design your Degree Program: Jammu University to launch Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies

Jammu, April 24: Prof. Dinesh Singh, the Vice-Chairman, J&K Higher Education Council and former Vice-Chancellor, University of Delhi today held a detailed discussion in presence of Sh Alok Kumar (IRS), Principal Secretary to Government, Higher Education Department and Prof Umesh Rai, Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu on the introduction of the Innovative Programme to be launched soon at the University of Jammu. 

Speaking on the occasion, Prof Dinesh Singh emphasized that under the aegis of NEP 2020, the University of Jammu shall soon launch a four-year degree program in Bachelors in Interdisciplinary Studies. Prof Singh said that this program is one of its kind in India, and the University of Jammu is envisaging starting at the undergraduate level. It is going to be a unique opportunity for the students that will give them an opportunity to shape their curriculum.

This program shall offer a plethora of opportunities to the students, which will help them to develop the flare for research and analytical thinking and acquaint them with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in their chosen careers. Prof Dinesh Singh reiterated that it is high time to regenerate the culture of data because algorithm thinking has been the part of DNA of Indian society, which over a period of time got lost under colonial rule and every attempt was made to erase the traditional learning teaching. Prof Singh further said that under NEP 2020, the whole focus is on logical thinking in every sphere of human life and provided enough canvas to self-learn and continuously assess themselves. Under the ambit of this program, the students can express their creativity in various forms which will help them to refine their skills.

https://www.upsc.gov.in/FR-CSM-22-engl-230523.pdf

It is pertinent to mention here that after the completion of first year of their studies, students will become mature enough where they will be exposed to specialized academic domain/subjects and thereby chose their path according to their interests. The students in consultation with the mentor will identify one or more interdisciplinary areas that will assist them in achieving the goals that they may have set during the ongoing course. It is also to mention that the students shall have the opportunity to exit after the completion of each year.

The fourth year is the watershed moment for the students wherein the students may either opt-out after the completion of their third year with a degree or opt to incubate their ideas/s at University of Jammu or take up a minor research project. The well trained mentors shall be available to guide the students round the clock and help them in understanding the basic nuance of their research, further added Prof Singh and also said that the curriculum is designed in such a way that there is every possibility that some of the best ideas of startups, public policy research documents etc shall come out from this research. Besides envisaging to start a train christened as “ Gyaanoday Express: College on wheels for more than a 1000 students of Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu University shall soon start a smart ashram  on Gandhi philosophy. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Umesh Rai , Vice-Chancellor, University of Jammu illustrated that it is a time to move from conventional teaching and incorporate new ideas and develop ever-evolving courses, which can scaffold new innovations and unleash the creativity.

New startups are looking for candidates who have hands-on experience, this is where the design your course will help the students to develop logical thinking and express their creativity and thereby becomes the first choice for the recruiters and even they can be unicorns, said Prof Rai. This course has been formulated in such a way that it helps students dissolve the boundaries of education and thereby help to evolve education, which is a mantra which as a Vice-Chancellor, he has been propagating so that faculty and students are encouraged to develop critical thinking and explore the surrounding areas around them and identify the problem and with the help of mentors try to resolve it.

https://www.upsc.gov.in/FR-CSM-22-engl-230523.pdf

Prominent among others Prof Naresh Padha, Dean Academic Affairs, Prof Rajeev Rattan, Director, CDC, Prof Madan Mohan Chaturvedi, Delhi University, Prof Shobha Bagai, Delhi University, Prof Anju Shrivastava, Delhi University, Prof Pankaj Srivastava, President, JUTA, Prof Alka Sharma, Convenor, Convener University Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Centre, Dr Sadaf Shah, various other faculty members from Delhi University and Jammu University, Sh Abdul Majid Butt, Director (Finance), Higher Education Department, J&K UT, Sh Rakesh Kumar Badyal, Special Secretary to Govt, Higher education Department, J&K UT were also present on the occasion.

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