EduAsiaNews, Surabaya — That Tuesday afternoon at the Rectorate Auditorium, Lidah Wetan Campus II, the buzz of Universitas Negeri Surabaya (Unesa) freshmen rose like a rolling wave. Not for a concert, nor a protest. They came carrying something far quieter—books. Precisely, 3,191 book titles they reviewed together, earning Unesa a MURI (Indonesian World Records Museum) record for “The Largest Book Review Activity by University Students”.
The record is more than a number. It is the culmination of a months-long literacy marathon driven by the Unesa Library Unit (UPT Perpustakaan). From 11,207 submissions, 11,078 reviews were validated—an unprecedented level of participation for any Indonesian university. “This reflects our commitment to strengthening literacy on campus and in the community,” said the Head of the Library Unit, Suroto, who couldn’t hide his pride between sentences.
This movement lays the groundwork for a sweeping transformation: an AI-based Smart Library, a digital repository of student publications, and sustained literacy initiatives in anticipation of Indonesia’s Golden Generation 2045. For Unesa, literacy must not stop at slogans—it must breathe in classrooms, halls, and study corners.
Unesa’s Rector, Nurhasan—fondly known as Cak Hasan—echoed the sentiment. Standing on stage, he reminded students that reading is not just an academic requirement but a lifelong breath that shapes the future. “Students must not detach themselves from books. Like it or not, learning and reading are the demands of life,” he stressed. For Hasan, the MURI achievement is merely an entry point; the real goal is nurturing a lasting, living literacy awareness.
The literacy milestone also marked the launch of a new initiative by the campus library: the weekly “Wednesday Rotating Campus Literacy Webinar”. Several competitive awards were announced as well—Library Literacy Video Competition, Faculty with the Most Book Reviews, and Best Reading Room—all designed to energize a more vibrant literacy ecosystem.
Outside the auditorium, students were still taking photos of books, chatting about reviews, or tidying up their notes. Some carried thick novels, others brought the latest research books, while many held their phones showing freshly uploaded reviews. They might not realize it, but those small acts were quietly recording history.
Unesa may have broken a record today. But beyond that, the university is building something far more enduring: a reading culture that outlives ceremonies. A movement that—if nurtured well—could become one of the most valuable legacies for the 2045 generation. (*)
