Promoting reading culture: NUST, NBF join hands to publish low-cost books for students

NUST rector said the varsity can facilitate NBF in the promotion of e-books.

Two leading education and publishing organisations have joined hands to publish books and promote reading culture, said a press release.

“There is a need to encourage students to read,” National University of Sciences and Technology (NUST) Rector Eng. Muhammad Asghar said.

He was speaking at a ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between the university and the National Book Foundation (NBF) on publishing books.

A good engineer, doctor and professional can only be recognised as a great human being by adapting learning and reading habit based on literature, culture and civilisation, he said.

Asghar said the university is ready to provide support to the foundation for publishing of low-cost books.

“The young generation cannot buy costly books. NUST Press has already taken the initiative of publishing a Rs5,000-6,000 books for Rs600-700 and distributed it to NUST students. NBF can avail this facility from NUST to provide low-cost books to students of other universities throughout the country.

For this purpose, NUST is ready to expand its printing press located on the main campus.

Moreover NUST rector said the varsity can also facilitate NBF in the promotion of e-books. Provision of e-books to students and readers should be a top priority in this technological world.

NBF has opened a bookshop at NUST’s main campus with the varsity’s cooperation.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2014.