Design your degree and beyond

Kashmir’s higher education landscape is undergoing a silent but transformative change. In alignment with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, several universities across the region are introducing flexible, interdisciplinary programs that allow students to design their own degrees.

Among the pioneers is Kashmir University, which has launched the “Design Your Degree (DYD)” initiative — a groundbreaking model that empowers students to customize their education across diverse disciplines. This marks a decisive move away from rigid academic structures toward personalized, experiential, and globally aligned learning.

The DYD model draws inspiration from leading global universities that champion flexibility and interdisciplinary education:

MIT (USA): Its Integrated Studies Program encourages students to combine multiple disciplines and pursue research-driven learning.

Stanford University (USA): Offers individually designed majors blending humanities, sciences, and technology, often culminating in research-based capstone projects.

Harvard University (USA): Through Special Concentrations, students create customized academic pathways across departments.

University College London (UK): The Arts & Sciences (BASc) program allows students to integrate science, social science, and the arts.

Leuphana University (Germany): Its Studium Individuale framework lets students design personalized curricula emphasizing inquiry, creativity, and social impact.

By aligning with such global benchmarks, Kashmir’s DYD programs bridge local aspirations with international best practices, bringing world-class educational opportunities closer to home.

Learning by doing

A defining feature of the DYD initiative is its focus on experiential learning. Students are encouraged to engage in major and minor projects that blend theory with real-world application. These projects may include:

Technology-based innovations such as mobile or web applications

Social entrepreneurship initiatives

Field-based research or community studies

Business or marketing proposals

Through these initiatives, students develop critical thinking, leadership, and innovation skills, mirroring the experiential and project-based models at top global institutions like MIT and Stanford.

Kashmir University’s DYD program has sparked a wider educational movement across the Valley. Other universities are now exploring similar interdisciplinary and skill-based frameworks that:

Promote holistic education and cross-disciplinary learning

Foster entrepreneurship, research, and digital literacy

Enhance employability and creativity through hands-on experience

This represents a paradigm shift in Kashmir’s higher education, one that prioritizes innovation, flexibility, and the empowerment of learners.

The Road Ahead

To reach the standards of global leaders like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard, Kashmir’s institutions can build upon the DYD foundation through key initiatives:

Curriculum Co-Design: Collaborate with industry, researchers, and international experts to design dynamic, interdisciplinary curricula.

Research Integration: Introduce undergraduate research programs and innovation labs, enabling students to publish, prototype, and patent ideas — similar to MIT’s UROP.

Global Collaboration: Establish exchange programs, joint degrees, and online mentorship with top international universities.

Flexible Credit Systems: Implement transferable credit mechanisms, allowing students to take courses across departments or through global online platforms.

Mentorship and Innovation Hubs: Create support networks connecting students with mentors, entrepreneurs, and alumni to foster start-ups and social innovation.

Such measures can help Kashmir’s universities evolve into regional centers of excellence, offering education that rivals the flexibility and innovation of the world’s best institutions.

The Design Your Degree (DYD) initiative is more than a reform — it is a reimagination of education itself. By allowing students to chart their own academic paths, integrating real-world projects, and embracing global standards, Kashmir’s universities are nurturing a generation ready for the challenges of a fast-changing world.

As these institutions continue to innovate and collaborate globally, Kashmir stands poised to emerge as a hub of progressive, world-class education — where students are not just earning degrees, but designing their futures.”

Dr. Syed Javed Iqbal Kamili, educationist & former Principal, with academic engagements and conferences in the USA, China, and Europe.