Sharjah Finance hosts workshop on reading at SIBF 2025

November 16, 2025 / 3:41 PM

Sharjah24: As part of its participation in the cultural programme accompanying the Sharjah International Book Fair, the Reading Council at the Sharjah Finance Department held a workshop titled “One-hour reading makes a difference”, with the participation of a select group of the department’s employees, along with a number of visitors and reading enthusiasts. The workshop forms part of the “Reading Council” initiative launched by the Central Finance Department to embed a culture of reading among employees and make it a sustainable institutional practice that supports human and professional development and enhances wellbeing in the workplace.

Expanding reading practices within the workplace

During the workshop, Huda Al Yassi, Director of the Financial System Department and Reading Ambassador at the Sharjah Central Finance Department, delivered an overview of the Reading Council’s journey since its launch in 2022 at the House of Wisdom in Sharjah, under the “Finance Ambassadors” initiative established to enhance employee wellbeing and strengthen a culture of knowledge in the workplace.

Al Yassi said: “The Reading Council began as a simple idea that brought employees together around a book, but today it has become an active knowledge project that strengthens human connection and provides employees with space for reflection, discussion, and the exchange of ideas away from daily work pressures.”

She added: “We follow well-designed approaches in selecting books, organising sessions, and running accompanying workshops that support mental wellbeing, develop intellectual skills, and broaden employees’ horizons, positively reflecting on their professional performance and achievements.”

She emphasised that the council’s experience has proven that knowledge-driven initiatives are essential in shaping an aware and motivated workforce, noting that its success reflects the impact of reading in creating a balanced and creativity-driven work environment. This participation in the Sharjah International Book Fair underscores the vital role played by the Central Finance Department in supporting culture and strengthening human-focused initiatives within the government ecosystem, in line with Sharjah’s vision for building a reading and creative society.

A vibrant space for knowledge

The Reading Council at the Central Finance Department stands as a distinguished model for transforming the government workplace into a dynamic space for knowledge and creativity, where employees meet to exchange ideas, discuss books, and draw lessons that benefit their professional and personal lives.
The council has also succeeded in establishing a notable presence within the department through its regular programmes that combine reading, discussion, and active dialogue, reinforcing institutional belonging and positively influencing the quality of employees’ performance.