Valuing books: Adopt innovative measures to promote reading habits

Speakers at national dialogue suggest ways to increase reading habits among young people


APP April 09, 2018
A mural depicting traditional Chinese designs displayed at a cultural show at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre (top). An artist hand-paints masks at the commemorative event highlighting Chinese art on Tuesday. PHOTOS: MUHAMMAD JAVAID

ISLAMABAD: Promotion of social sciences, literature and book-reading are vital to promoting peace and tolerance in the society and can help inculcate values of responsible citizenship, harmony, co-existence and respect for other ideologies among Pakistani youth.

This was stated by the speakers during a national dialogue titled "role of universities in the promotion of book culture" organised by the Inter-University Consortium for Promotion of Social Sciences Pakistan (IUCPSS) at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre in Islamabad on Sunday.

The dialogue was organised in connection with
the Ninth Annual National Book Festival.

The main speakers of the event included Shah Abdul Latif University Pro Vice Chancellor Dr Yousaf Khushk, Arts Council  Karachi Executive Director Nadeem Zafar Siddiqui, senior scholar from Balochistan Dr Agha Muhammad Nasir, Quaid-e-Azam University National Institute of Historical and Culture Research senior research fellow Dr Sajid Awan, columnist Prof Dr Zahid Hussain, University of Sargodha Assistant Professor Dr Shahid Nawaz and educationist Arshad Jabbar Paracha.

NBF Book Ambassador and IUCPSS National Coordinator Murtaza Noor shared that in Pakistan, the total number of universities had increased to 187 with more than 107 sub-campuses where more than 1.5 million students are enrolled.

The speakers suggested the use of modern technology and innovative methods to motivate the youth to read books and to increase budgetary allocations for university libraries, set up bookshops and to organize book fairs. Moreover, the NBF was urged to provide books at discounted prices to promote book reading culture on campuses.

Dr Khushk was of the view that a culture of book reviews could be helpful in promoting book reading culture among varsity students.     He also underlined the importance adopting innovative methods for creation of knowledge instead of only focusing on their traditional role of teaching and research.

The speakers said that they must benefit from the valuable treasure of books which "we just locked them in cupboards".

They also highlighted the effective role of the faculty in encouraging book reading habits among the university students.

The participants, during a question-answer session, recommended the revival of literary societies and study circles, promotion of extra-curricular activities, extending library closing hours and effective use of digital libraries in order to encourage reading habits among
the youth.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 9th, 2018.

 

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