International Book Day at UMECIT: an action to strengthen reading through experience

Within the framework of International Book Day, the Metropolitan University of Education, Science and Technology -UMECIT- through the Reading Club in conjunction with the Library, is developing an institutional campaign aimed at strengthening the reading habit as a fundamental part of the formative process of its university community.

This initiative will take place from April 20 to 30, 2026, integrating an expectation phase and an activation phase that will allow the active participation of students, teachers and collaborators, through practical, accessible and meaningful experiences.

As a central activity, book exchange spaces will be set up at the university's various campuses. At these locations, participants can bring a book in good condition and take another available, thus promoting the circulation of knowledge and equitable access to reading. This initiative aims to foster a closer relationship with books, encouraging independent learning and cultural exchange through a simple yet impactful action.

Exchange points will be available at the Fundadores, La Chorrera, Chitré, Santiago and David campuses, as well as at the Master's Building, Megamall, IBI and Veneto, which will allow for broad national coverage and facilitate the participation of the entire UMECIT community.

Additionally, the campaign includes online students, who can participate by posting recommendations, reviews, or reflections on books of interest. This strategy aims to ensure inclusive participation, strengthening a sense of belonging and academic interaction regardless of geographic location.

As part of the campaign's closing events, a discussion with guest writers will be held on April 30th, in collaboration with the National Library. This academic forum will foster new perspectives on reading in Panama, encouraging dialogue, reflection, and bringing the university community closer to the world of literature from a contemporary viewpoint.

This activity, in turn, strengthens the role of the Reading Club as a learning space that fosters the development of creative, critical, and forward-thinking skills, in accordance with the institution's educational model. Participation in this initiative will be recognized as part of the commitment to holistic development, understanding reading not as an isolated activity, but as a habit that directly impacts academic, personal, and professional growth.

UMECIT continues to promote these types of initiatives as spaces that foster the construction of a more conscious, reflective university community connected with knowledge, reaffirming its commitment to academic excellence and sustainable human development.