The University Library System is delighted to announce the 4th Edition of the Reading Challenge, happening from October 6 - November 16, 2025. This exciting program invites undergraduate students to read one book each week based on carefully selected themes curated by subject experts. Alongside reading, participants can enjoy engaging activities such as workshops, quizzes, book reviews, and read-aloud sessions, making the journey even more enriching. Students who complete the challenge will be awarded a certificate and a special gift.

For this edition, the following six themes have been selected:

• Week 1: Innovation and Human Progress (October 6–12, 2025)
• Week 2: Philosophy and Ethics in Everyday Life (October 13–19, 2025)
• Week 3: Entrepreneurship and Future of Work (October 20–26, 2025)
• Week 4: Science and Society (October 27 – November 2, 2025)
• Week 5: Literature Across Borders (November 3–9, 2025)
• Week 6: Resilience and Human Spirit (November 10–16, 2025)

Programme Overview

The challenge spans six weeks, during which you will read six books. Mentors for the program will include library staff and selected faculty from the School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Amrut Mody School of Management, and the Bagchi School of Public Health.

To successfully complete the challenge, participants are expected to attend all workshops and activities organised as part of the programme. At the end of each week, you will be required to submit either a three-slide presentation or a one-minute video reel summarising the book you have read. These presentations and reels will be made available to all the participants. We may have sessions to discuss these presentations.

Participants who complete the programme will receive a certificate and a gift.

Although each week has a dedicated theme, you may choose any of the selected books from across the six themes. All selected books are displayed on a designated rack near the GICT Library (Central Library) counter in the basement. If you need any assistance, please contact the library staff at the counter.

Additionally, the library will share reading tips, book review techniques, and skill development materials via email throughout the program. More details about workshops and activities will be shared soon.

Terms and Conditions of Book Borrowing

• All participants will receive a special Reading Challenge 2025 membership card, available at the Central Library, GICT building, from October 3-8, 2025, between 9:00 AM and 6:00 PM.
• This membership is separate from your regular library account.
• The card allows you to borrow one book at a time for one week.
• Only the Reading Challenge card may be used to borrow books reserved for the challenge.
• Books related to the challenge themes will be available near the library counter. You may not find all the books at a stretch. The selected books will be made available as and when faculty select the books.
• Proxy borrowing is not permitted.
• Members must present their Reading Challenge card each time they borrow a book.
• The membership period is from October 6 - November 16, 2025.
• All books must be returned on or before the due date.
• Books not returned by the end of the membership period will be treated as lost, and the library’s lost book recovery policy will apply.

Activities conducted as part of the reading challenges

• A workshop on the Art of Reading by Manjil Saikia, Assistant Professor, School of Arts and Sciences, on October 29, 2025.
• Prototyping for Success: A Hands-On Design Thinking Workshop by Darshana Padia, Assistant Professor & Assistant Director, The Venture Fellowship Programme, on November 5, 2025
• Let’s Talk about Reading by Neeraja Sankaran, Visiting Professor, School of Arts and Sciences, on November 12, 2025