SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Friday inaugurated a series of new academic programmes at Cluster University Jammu, including a flexible “Design Your Degree” initiative, integrated science courses, a semiconductor skilling programme in collaboration with IIT Madras, and new courses on Indian knowledge systems.
Addressing students and faculty during the inaugural ceremony, Sinha said higher education must prepare students to think beyond conventional academic boundaries and equip them to solve complex real-world problems through interdisciplinary learning.
He described the “Design Your Degree” programme as a significant step towards student-centric education, saying the initiative would allow students to combine subjects based on their interests, aptitude and career aspirations.
“The challenges of the 21st century require multidisciplinary thinking. Young people who can integrate knowledge from different fields and develop innovative solutions will be better prepared for the future,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
The university also launched integrated postgraduate programmes in Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Mathematics and Geography. Sinha said modern scientific challenges such as climate change require knowledge from multiple disciplines and that the new courses would encourage broader academic engagement.
Among the other initiatives launched were a one-year postgraduate diploma in Sanatan Dharma and Indian Knowledge Systems and the establishment of a Department of Vedic Studies. Sinha said students should have opportunities to study India’s intellectual traditions alongside modern education, adding that Indian knowledge systems encompass philosophy, mathematics, astronomy, medicine and linguistics.
The Lieutenant Governor also inaugurated a Semiconductor Skilling Programme in collaboration with IIT Madras. He said the programme would help students acquire skills in an area critical to emerging technologies and manufacturing.
Referring to India’s technology ambitions, Sinha said the country aims to strengthen its position in advanced manufacturing and innovation, and such programmes would prepare students for future industry requirements.
He urged students to focus on skill development, innovation and research, saying these would contribute to the country’s progress and self-reliance.
The university also launched a postgraduate programme in Environmental Sciences with a minor specialisation in Renewable Energy, a one-year postgraduate diploma in Dogri Translation, released a report on activities under the Nasha Mukt Bharat campaign, and renamed the Vice-Chancellor’s office complex as “Suryaputri Tawi Bhawan” and the old IIM campus as “Chandrabhaga Campus”.
Vice-Chancellor Prof. K.S. Chandrasekar, Registrar Ankur Mahajan, heads of constituent colleges, faculty members and students attended the function.
