The Library and Publishing Institute (LPP) of Unissula concluded its 58th-anniversary celebrations by hosting the 2026 Unissula Reading Ambassador (Duta Baca) selection on Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Held on the third floor of the LPP Unissula building, the event centered on the theme, “READ, Discover, Empower: AI Can Inspire, Human Must Inquire.” This theme underscores the importance of a culture of literacy, critical thinking skills, and the human role in navigating the advancement of artificial intelligence (AI).
The Reading Ambassador selection served as the highlight of LPP Unissula’s 58th-anniversary series, which also featured a “Mystery Book Hunt” and a “Class of Champions.” These initiatives were designed to provide an engaging, interactive, and educational literacy experience, while encouraging the academic community to participate in fostering a culture of literacy across the campus.
The event opened with remarks from the Head of LPP Unissula, Erna Sunarti, S.Pd., M.Hum. In her address, Erna expressed her gratitude for the successful execution of the entire 58th-anniversary program. She also commended her team for their hard work in curating activities that seamlessly blended entertainment, interaction, and educational value.
“We are truly grateful that the 58th-anniversary series of LPP Unissula was successfully carried out through various activities that were not only entertaining and interactive but also highly educational. We aimed to present literacy-focused initiatives in a more compelling way, allowing students to engage actively and realize that literacy is more than just reading books—it is a process of discovering knowledge, broadening one’s perspective, and developing critical thinking skills,” Erna stated.
Following this, remarks were delivered by the Vice Rector I of Unissula, Dr. Mochamad Abdul Basir, S.Pd., M.Pd. He commended LPP Unissula for organizing a range of creative and educational activities aimed at strengthening the culture of literacy within the university environment. Addressing the Reading Ambassador (Duta Baca) finalists, he emphasized that the passion for promoting literacy should not depend on the outcome of the competition.
“We commend LPP Unissula for organizing a series of creative and educational activities to mark its anniversary. To the Reading Ambassador finalists, I urge you to continue carrying and spreading the spirit of literacy, regardless of today’s results. While winning is certainly a source of pride, what truly matters is your ability to serve as role models, inspire others, and encourage more students to embrace literacy,” said Abdul Basir.
As a gesture of support for the development of the library’s collection and the culture of literacy, Abdul Basir also donated books he had authored to LPP Unissula. The event continued with a symbolic cake-cutting ceremony to mark the 58th anniversary of LPP Unissula.
The main event, the selection of the 2026 Unissula Reading Ambassador, featured 10 finalists chosen from thousands of Unissula students. Prior to reaching the grand final, the participants underwent an administrative screening process, which included an evaluation of their curricula vitae (CVs) and video submissions (Reels).
In the grand final, the contestants faced three rounds of assessment: a random Q&A session, a Q&A session with the panel of judges, and a talent showcase. These stages provided the finalists with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge, communication skills, and personal potential for fulfilling the role of a Unissula Reading Ambassador.
In addition to the Reading Ambassador selection, the anniversary’s highlight event included an awards ceremony for winners of previous activities. Prizes were presented to the winners of the "Class of Champions" and "Mystery Book Hunt" competitions, as well as to those recognized as the most active library borrowers and users. The series of events concluded with the announcement of the winner of the Unissula Reading Ambassador (Duta Baca) 2026 title.
Through these activities, LPP Unissula reaffirms its commitment to continuously fostering a culture of literacy by employing approaches that are creative, interactive, and relevant to the times. In line with this year’s anniversary theme, while technology can serve as a source of inspiration, the human capacity to inquire, analyze, and think critically remains the key to building a literate society.
