Government College Women University Faisalabad (GCWUF) marked World Book and Copyright Day 2025 with a vibrant celebration centered on the theme of preserving literary heritage and promoting a reading culture in the digital age. The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the university’s new digital repository, DSpace, by Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen (T.I.), signaling a major leap forward in academic digitization.
Under the dynamic leadership of Prof Dr Kanwal Ameen, the day featured a rich array of intellectually engaging and culturally rooted activities. “Books lay the foundation of a strong and enlightened society,” remarked Dr Ameen in her keynote address, reinforcing her commitment to fostering a society grounded in knowledge, critical thinking, and cultural identity.
The day began with an Awareness Walk, symbolizing a collective call to revive the reading culture in public and private spaces. Participants from across campus joined the walk, highlighting the need to prioritize reading in the face of technological distractions.
Adding a historical dimension to the celebrations, the Allama Iqbal Stamps Society, Lahore, exhibited a curated collection of rare literary-themed stamps. The display offered a visual journey through the lives and legacies of great thinkers and writers, showcasing the intersection of philately and literature.
The event also featured a dynamic “Meet the Authors/Poets” session, moderated by Dr Touheed Ahmad. The panel included emerging literary voices like Dr Ghulam Murtaza Aatir, Dr Tahira Iqbal, and Dr Abdul Aziz, who shared their insights on the challenges and philosophies of modern authorship.
In a thought-provoking panel discussion titled “Users’ Expectations from Libraries in an AI-Driven World,” moderated by Dr Farhat Jabeen, scholars including Dr Shazia Adnan, Dr Saiqa Sadiq, and Dr Tayyaba Anwar explored the evolving role of libraries in an increasingly digital society.
A literary quiz moderated by Ms. Hira Rafiq injected energy into the day’s activities, while Dr Asim Mehmood, Chairman of the Department of Applied Linguistics at GCUF, introduced his digital project, “Shahmukhi Punjabi WordNet,” aimed at preserving regional language through technology.
The most anticipated moment of the event came when Dr Ameen officially launched DSpace, GCWUF’s digital repository. This platform will serve as a hub for archiving and showcasing the university’s scholarly and creative output, making it accessible to a global academic audience.
In an interactive session with student writers, the Vice Chancellor encouraged them to immerse themselves in reading to nurture creativity and critical expression. The celebration concluded with an Author Tribute Ceremony, honoring faculty members who had published books in the past year with special souvenirs in recognition of their scholarly contributions.
Commending the GCWUF Library Committee for organizing the event, Dr Ameen concluded by reiterating the central message of the day: “Books are the cornerstone of a society that values knowledge, identity, and progress.”
This year’s celebration not only honored the timeless value of books but also underscored GCWUF’s commitment to blending tradition with innovation to shape the minds of tomorrow.