JOHOR BARU: Reading should become a lifestyle that never ends, said Universiti Teknologi Malaysia vice chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Wahid Omar.
He said those who like to read are putting themselves on a higher platform than those who do not like to read.
“They will become a source of reference for those who love knowledge and progress. This is a practice that should be praised in our efforts to produce excellent talents that will become assets to the country,” said Wahid.
He said according to an interim survey called ‘The reading habit of Malaysians 2014’, Malaysians on an average read about 15 books a year.
“This is an improvement from a 2006 survey which recorded an average of only two books. Although the increase is significant, it is not enough to describe reading has become a culture in the country,” said Wahid speaking at the launch of the Wow Carnival @ UTM Library at the university’s Sultanah Zanariah Library. Also present was UTM chief librarian Noraziah Sharuddin.
Wahid said Education Minister Dr Maszlee Malik recently said that the reading habit among the people was important in the development of a country.
“Maszlee and the Education Ministry have also set a target for Malaysia to become the country which read most by 2030 through the ‘Menuju Negara Membaca 2030’ policy.
” As an institution of higher education, UTM has the responsibility to support the ministry’s effort. That is why, I and the university’s administration welcome and fully support UTM Library so that programmes to encourage reading can be organised continuously, ” said Wahid.
The four day carnival, with the theme ‘Weeks of Wisdom’, features various activities that are aimed at attracting visitors not only from UTM but also from the community.
Among the activities are a meet-the-author session, a Read & Relax book review, a doodle drawing competition and the Go Green @ Mini Home Library competition, a competition for secondary school students to design mini libraries.