The Department of Law at West Kazakhstan Innovation and Technology University held an academic advisory session as part of the nationwide “Reading Nation” (“Kitap Oqityn Ult”) project. The event focused on fostering a culture of reading and promoting students’ intellectual development.
The session aimed to encourage regular reading habits, develop critical thinking skills, cultivate ethical values through literature, and strengthen students’ ability to apply acquired knowledge in everyday life.
Particular attention was given to the seven ideas underpinning the Reading Nation project. Discussions addressed the enduring value of knowledge, personal growth through lifelong learning, the development of critical and creative thinking, effective interpersonal communication, responsibility for future generations, and the application of knowledge for the benefit of society.
Students were encouraged to recognize that reading is not merely about finishing a particular book or increasing the number of books read. Its broader value lies in developing intellectual abilities, expanding perspectives, and strengthening the capacity to make informed decisions.
As part of the event, participants discussed The Little Prince by French author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The themes of friendship, responsibility, morality, and human relationships explored in the work were examined in connection with the project’s seven guiding ideas.
Special emphasis was placed on developing essential skills among future legal professionals, including critical thinking, the ability to consider different perspectives, formulate well-reasoned conclusions, and take responsibility for their decisions. The discussion also addressed the contribution of reading to legal awareness, professional competence, and personal accountability.
The session further explored the importance of moving beyond the rapid consumption of information in today’s digital society. Students were encouraged to critically evaluate information, compare different viewpoints, and develop independent judgments.
At the conclusion of the event, students were encouraged to make reading a regular part of their daily lives, exchange views on literary works, and apply the knowledge and insights gained to their personal development and future professional practice.
In line with the central concept of the Reading Nation project, reading was presented as a continuous process that contributes to individual development, promotes a culture of reading within families, and supports the development of an educated and responsible society.
