UniFiji launches new book: 'Moveable Magic: Re-making the World'

The University of Fiji has launched a new book, “Moveable Magic: Re-making the World”, which consists of works of local writers elaborating more on good values and morals for children and academics of today.

The book was edited by University of Fiji Vice-Chancellor Professor Shaista Shameem and Professor Subramani, and the book was launched by the Pro-Chancellor of the University of Fiji, Pundit Bhuwan Dutt, at the University’s Samabula Campus.

While speaking at the launch, Professor Shameem says to read for pleasure is to move into the world of magical inspiration.

She says “Moveable Magic” had miraculously been published after a long period of gestation as the editors patiently waited for the chosen contributors to provide their personal stories of how they had discovered reading and how books had changed their world.

Renowned Fijian authors of the chapters include Jane Ricketts, Sudesh Mishra, Susan Sela, Vimal Madhavan, Larry Thomas, Anurag Subramani, Nikhat Shameem, Kavita Nandan, Rajat Gyaneshwar, Mohit Prasad, Joanne Vosailagi and Dipak Singh.

In addition, said Professor Shameem, the editors were determined to provide a research context to reading for pleasure in Fiji and, hence, Adi Tubuna Laveti Tikomaimalaya, Bimlesh Kumar, Daneshwar Sharma, Mumtaz Alam and Komal Krishna Lata in their chapters provided additional academic interest by contributing to analyses of who reads in schools and by producing data on the extent of reading for pleasure by teachers and students in primary and secondary schools.

She adds that “Moveable Magic” will be of interest to the Ministry of Education since the Minister had recently proposed a curriculum review for Fijian education.

The UniFiji Vice Chancellor says research had shown that children who were encouraged to read for pleasure in the early years of their lives performed better in schools over time and were more likely to succeed in life as adults.

She says adults who had loved to read as children developed a more balanced and compassionate view of the world and their communities.

She also stressed that reading for pleasure led to nation-building in the most positive way, and any reform of education in Fiji should ensure reading for pleasure is a core part of the educational focus from the earliest years.

“Moveable Magic” is available from the University of Fiji Enlightenment Bookshop at Samabula and Saweni Campuses.