The Faculty of Arts, in collaboration with the Research Development Office of The Maldives National University (MNU), conducted an Ilmee Foavahi session titled “Kiyun Therikan Kuri Eruvun”, focusing on reading culture among university students in the Maldives. The session provided a platform to examine students’ reading practices and discuss the importance of fostering a stronger reading culture within higher education.

The panel brought together university academics and an expert stakeholder from Reading Room to explore the role of reading in academic learning, intellectual development, and lifelong learning. Drawing on research data on students’ reading practices, the discussion considered reading habits and the challenges associated with encouraging students to engage more actively with reading.

By bringing research evidence together with academic and professional perspectives, the session encouraged critical inquiry, knowledge-sharing, and informed dialogue on reading culture. It also highlighted the value of understanding students’ reading practices as a basis for identifying opportunities to strengthen reading engagement and support learning within the university community.

The collaboration between the Faculty of Arts and the Research Development Office demonstrated the importance of connecting research with academic activities and professional expertise. The involvement of Reading Room further broadened the discussion by bringing an external perspective to the exploration of reading habits and the promotion of a reading culture among university students.

The Ilmee Foavahi session highlighted the role of research-informed discussions and collaborative initiatives in supporting literacy, knowledge development, and continuous learning. The initiative contributed to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting reading and lifelong learning; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) through its emphasis on using research evidence to inform approaches to learning and reading engagement; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between the Faculty of Arts, the Research Development Office, and an expert stakeholder from Reading Room.