“If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking”. In the midst of the digital explosion, where information is often consumed in a “fast-food” style, taking a moment to contemplate knowledge from the pages of a book becomes a courageous choice. In response to Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day (April 21), the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (UEH) sends a message to all learners: Reading is not just a habit, but a journey of accumulating capital to lead the future.
UEH Book Fair at UEH Sharing & Giving – CareerFair 2025
UEH Library – An Ecosystem Awakening Thought
In a modern university environment, the UEH Smart Library has moved beyond the traditional role of a document repository to transform into an integrated and flexible academic ecosystem. It is considered the “heart” of the university, contributing to the promotion of proactive and lifelong learning spirits among learners.
- Modern Learning Space: More than just rows of tables and chairs, the Smart Library system is designed to be an inspiration “charging station”. Space optimization helps students enhance their ability to engage in Deep Work, a key skill for building personal discipline in a professional academic environment.
- Rich Resources: Beside printed books, the UEH Smart Library provides access to various international academic databases such as ScienceDirect, SpringerLink, Jora, and more. Through this, students have the opportunity to access the latest knowledge and specialized academic topics, particularly those related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations.
- Living Lab Environment: The UEH Smart Library is oriented as a “Living Lab” model, serving as an open space that connects academia with practice. Here, students do not just read theory but also participate in workshops to solve practical problems for businesses and society alongside lecturers and experts.
UEH Smart Library
Resource Exploitation: From Reader to Master of Knowledge
For knowledge to truly become power, UEH students need to shift from a passive receiving mindset to actively exploiting and mastering academic resources. This is the key to building a dynamic, autonomous, and sustainable learning community.
- Proactive Searching: Instead of only looking for materials and textbooks when exams arrive, students need to form a habit of searching for and updating information regularly and continuously. This proactivity helps learners quickly grasp economic and social fluctuations, thereby training global citizens who are not only knowledgeable but also capable of taking action.
- Optimizing Databases: Effectively exploiting reputable digital resources not only enhances reliability but also increases academic depth for research papers and essays. This is an important stepping stone for students to become familiar with scientific research and practice integrating sustainability principles into their future careers.
- Building Discipline: Utilize self-study rooms to form independent research habits and time management skills. This is necessary preparation to adapt to interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary training methods, taking the learner as the center and promoting a lifelong learning spirit at UEH.
Spreading Reading Culture: Reading to Develop Sustainable Thinking
At UEH, reading does not stop at serving exams; it is a journey of developing cognitive capacity and self-perfection. This is the foundation for forming “Global Citizens acting for sustainable development”.
- Reading to Broaden Perspectives: Accessing multi-dimensional knowledge helps students go beyond the limits of pure professional knowledge, thereby deepening their understanding of the connection between economy, environment, and society. This helps form the mindset of a leader who knows how to balance economic efficiency with community values.
- Forming Sustainable Habits: Maintaining a reading habit of 15 – 30 minutes per day is a way to nourish the soul and persistent knowledge. Not only does it nourish spiritual life, but this habit also helps students become individuals capable of spreading inspiration for learning, creativity, and action for sustainable development within the UEHer community.
Mr. Nguyễn Phương Nam – Founder, CEO Aothun.vn shared the book “Success Express for teens”
Reading Methods for Future Leaders
Effective reading is not just a habit but a skill that needs to be trained systematically and strategically. Students are encouraged to apply scientific methods to optimize the knowledge acquisition process:
- Academic Reading (Skimming & Scanning): This technique helps filter important information from scientific articles or massive market reports. Specifically, Skimming is the process of quickly reading headings, tables of contents, introductions, and conclusions to grasp the main idea of the document; while Scanning focuses on searching for specific information such as figures, concepts, or key arguments. Combining these two techniques saves time while ensuring a grasp of the core structure and content. When paired with the Cornell note-taking method, students can systemize knowledge logically, effectively serving the achievement of course learning outcomes as well as implementing research projects.
- Self-Development Reading: The method of deep reading combined with reflective thinking helps students relate what they have read to real life. Readers do not just stop at understanding the content but also ask questions such as: “What does this mean to me?” or “How can I apply this to my studies or life?”. Writing down favorite points not only helps with memory but is also a way to sow the seeds for new ideas to form and develop, contributing to the sustainable development and prosperity of society.
Vietnam Book and Reading Culture Day (April 21) is not just a commemorative event, but an opportunity for every UEH student to look back and consolidate their commitment to the journey of knowledge. Every book you flip through today serves not only immediate studies but also serves as a solid foundation for long-term growth. This is the luggage that helps students confidently become future leaders – brave, responsible, and ready to create positive value for society. Let the sound of turning pages become the sound of positive change, starting from the mindset and action of each of us.
News & Images: Department of Student Affairs (DSA)
References
Thủ tướng Chính phủ. (2021). Quyết định số 1862/QĐ-TTg về Ngày Sách và Văn hóa đọc Việt Nam. Cổng Thông tin điện tử Chính phủ. Quyết định số 1862/QĐ-TTg của Thủ tướng Chính phủ.
Cornell University. (n.d.). The Cornell note-taking system. Learning Strategies Center.https://lsc.cornell.edu/how-to-study/taking-notes/cornell-note-taking-system/The Cornell Note-taking System – Cornell University