Hamdan Bin Mohammed Smart University (HBMSU) Smart Book Club has launched its ‘Reading Knights Competition’ under its new initiative: Smart Reading Club, which will provide many books in Arabic and English covering variety of topics.

This initiative aims to disseminate knowledge and encourage the community to enrich their general information and to not only read but critically analyse literary works as well. The Smart Reading Club upholds the university’s philosophy of lifelong learning and excellence in knowledge transfer.

The initiative supports the declaration of 2016 as the ‘Year of Reading’ by HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE.

First to be critiqued are two visionary books authored by HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai - ‘My Vision’ and ‘Flashes of Thought.’

The ‘Reading Knights Competition’ has four main goals: increase awareness on the importance of reading, develop the habit of self-learning and continuous learning, enhance analytical and critical thinking, and encourage knowledge dissemination among readers from different cultural and cognitive levels.

The book/s for review will be announced through the Smart Book Club portal which will also receive the entries. Summaries should not exceed 1,000 words and can be written in either Arabic or English. A panel of academics will judge the pieces. The Best Reviews will be awarded and honoured by HBMSU. All the winners will also receive tablets and will be granted a complimentary one-year access to the HBMSU library.

Dr Mansoor Al Awar, chancellor of HBMSU, said: “The Smart Book Club’s ‘Reading Knights Competition’ is a timely initiative that complements the declaration of 2016 as the ‘Year of Reading’ under the wise vision of our President HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, to make the UAE a beacon of science and knowledge for the world to follow.”

“We are honoured to feature the literary works of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President and Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, for the competition’s inaugural run. This will enable readers to draw inspiration from wise visions for continuing the march to excellence, leadership and innovation. What is perhaps the most distinguishing feature of the ‘Reading Knights Competition’ is that it is based on a methodology that concretises the goals of the Smart Book Club which centre primarily on broadening the knowledge and cultural perceptions of readers of different cultural, cognitive and intellectual levels.

"This initiative also supports the tireless efforts led by HBMSU under the guidance of HH Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai and President of the University, to enrich knowledge and develop self-paced learning skills as well as promote the principle of lifelong learning. We want to prepare a new generation armed with science, knowledge and innovation who can pave the way for a brighter future,” Dr Al Awar concluded.

There are currently nearly 238 registered participants of different cultural backgrounds aged 18 to 65. Interested participants can register at (https://smartbookclub.hbmsu.ac.ae) until August 31, 2016 to share their thoughts on the first books for review. - TradeArabia News Service