Share your story and shine at JK Monitor!🌟 Welcome to JK Monitor, where every story matters and every achievement is celebrated! We invite you to share the remarkable journey of your life and showcase your accomplishments to the world. Join our exclusive interviews that honor exceptional individuals just like you. KATRA: Students of the Design Your Degree (DYD) Programme at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University (SMVDU) showcased their innovative projects and interdisciplinary learning experiences at the National Conference on "Innovative Pedagogies for Future-Ready Higher Education – Experiential and Interdisciplinary Learning under NEP 2020 through DYoD," hosted by the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Kashmir.
The conference brought together Vice Chancellors, academic leaders, DYD coordinators, faculty members, and students from higher education institutions across Jammu & Kashmir to deliberate on innovative pedagogical practices and the implementation of the Design Your Degree initiative. The conference commenced with an inspiring keynote address by Prof. Dinesh Singh, Vice Chairman, Higher Education Council, Government of Jammu & Kashmir, who highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary education, experiential learning, efficient use of AI, flexibility in curriculum, and innovation-driven teaching for building future-ready universities.
His insightful address set the tone for meaningful discussions on strengthening the Design Your Degree programme across higher education institutions. A major highlight of the conference was the Panel Discussion on DYD Implementation in J&K Institutions, where Vice Chancellors and institutional heads deliberated on the future of multidisciplinary education in the region. Prof. Pragati Kumar, Hon'ble Vice Chancellor, SMVDU, actively participated in the session, sharing the University's vision and experiences in implementing the DYD programme. His valuable insights on academic flexibility, interdisciplinary learning, and innovation-driven education were well appreciated and contributed significantly to the discussions on strengthening learner-centric education in alignment with the NEP 2020.
Representing SMVDU during the technical session on “DYoD in Jammu & Kashmir: Challenges, Opportunities and the Way Forward,” Dr. Shafaq Rasool, Coordinator, DYD Programme, SMVDU, presented the University's achievements and best practices in implementing the programme. She highlighted SMVDU's initiatives in promoting interdisciplinary learning, project-based education, student engagement, and flexible academic pathways.
Her presentation reflected the University's continuous efforts towards creating an innovative and future-ready learning ecosystem and was well received by participants from across the Union Territory. SMVDU DYD students also made a strong impression during the Student Project Showcase and Project Presentation Sessions, where DYD students of SMVDU, Divya, Saifan, Mohit, Priya, and Kamakshi presented innovative interdisciplinary projects mentored under the guidance of Faculty members associated with DYD program at SMVDU.
Their projects demonstrated creativity, problem-solving abilities, and the practical application of knowledge, earning appreciation from the audience as well as the expert panel. Among the projects showcased, "Sahara", presented by Ms. Divya Khajuria under the mentorship of Dr. Rashi Taggar, received special appreciation from Prof. Shobha Bagai. She commended the project for its innovative approach, strong social relevance, and significant potential to create meaningful real-world impact. Recognising the project's promise, she encouraged the team to take the idea forward through an incubation programme, describing it as an initiative with strong potential for further development and societal benefit.
The recognition highlighted the quality of interdisciplinary, student-driven innovation being fostered under the Design Your Degree (DYD) Programme at SMVDU. The conference provided an excellent platform for SMVDU to showcase the successful implementation of its DYD Programme, highlighting the University's growing commitment to multidisciplinary education, experiential learning, and innovation-driven teaching.
The active participation of the SMVDU delegation comprising faculty members Dr. Shafaq Rasool, Dr. Meenakshi Gupta, and Dr. Vivek Kumar, along with the participating students, reflected the University's sustained commitment to strengthening the Design Your Degree (DYD) Programme and fostering innovation in higher education. The DYD team at SMVDU expressed its sincere gratitude to the Hon'ble Vice-Chancellor for his constant encouragement, visionary leadership, and unwavering support in strengthening the Design Your Degree (DYD) Programme. The team acknowledged that his guidance and commitment towards implementing the principles of NEP 2020 have been instrumental in fostering an ecosystem of innovation, interdisciplinary learning, and academic excellence at the University.