Article by: Mr. Elan Nelson, AUPP Law Student
On March 11th, 2024 the 9th National Reading Day Panel Discussion was held in the AUPP Technology Center (ATC). Hosted by the AUPP Library which support by Center for Southeast Asia Studies (CSEAS) and Student Affair (SA), the panel brought together esteemed authors and poets Chanraksmey Mao, Malachi Edwin Vethamani, and Phina So, our gracious moderator. The panel discussed the profound impacts of reading on individuals’ aspirations to write and shared their respective anecdotes illustrating how it influenced their journey as authors.
| Panelists | Chanraksmey Mao | Novelist, Screenwriter, Author of the Purple Diary Part 1& 2 |
| Malachi Edwin Vethamani | Writer, Poet, and Author of Love and Loss | |
| Moderator | Phina So | Writer, Poet, and Author of Bophana, the Flower that Never Wilts |
The discussion also highlighted practical strategies for developing and maintaining a consistent reading habit. The panelists emphasized the importance of exploring various reading genres to discover personal preferences, which are crucial for maintaining long-term reading engagement and enjoyment. They also discussed the significance of allocating a dedicated amount of time for reading, which can be a challenge due to the busyness of everyday life.
AUPP’s Librarian Wyn Thomas also shared a few words on the Library’s role in fostering a culture of reading among students. He further emphasized the purpose of reading is to enhance critical thinking skills and ignite the imagination, proving to be an invaluable resource in academic and personal growth.
The 9th National Reading Day Panel Discussion was not only a celebration of reading but also a testament to the transformative power reading has in shaping minds as well as future careers.
