Highlighting the role of collaborations between educational institutions and community spaces.
Recently, a new partnership initiated by the prestigious academic institution Ateneo de Manila University (ADMU) and SM Supermalls saw the addition of valuable learning resource to the chain’s Book Nook.
The community reading and learning space operated under the SM Cares unit has received academic journals on the humanities and social sciences.
These were donated to enrich Book Nook’s selection of learning resources across all of its branches, noted the company.
ADMU’s donation includes titles published under the Research, Creative Work, and Innovation Office of the Ateneo such as Philippine Studies: Historical and Ethnographic Viewpoints, Perspectives in the Arts and Humanities Asia, Social Transformation: Journal of the Global South, Budhi: A Journal of Ideas and Culture, and the Journal of Management for Global Sustainability.
A ceremonial turnover, which led by Book Nook pioneer Shereen Sy, was held to celebrate the collaboration with the institution.
“This donation helps us bring meaningful knowledge closer to the public whenever they enter the mall,” said Sy. “We are delighted that the Ateneo aligns with SM’s ambition of extending scholarly resources that supplement learning more accessible to students, researchers, and curious readers.”
She also emphasized that the timing for the tie-up is “quite perfect.”
“With summer starting, and more students and readers spending time at our malls now, they have another worthwhile activity to enjoy and enrich themselves with as the humanities and social sciences play such a crucial role in shaping contemporary discourse,” added the Book Nook pioneer.
The partnership, according to the mall chain, also highlights the “role that collaborations between educational institutions and community spaces can play in advancing nation-building through education and knowledge sharing.“
“By making academic publications more accessible outside traditional university settings, initiatives like Book Nook help create opportunities for learning among students, educators, and the wider public,” it continued.
Launched by SM Cares, the corporate social eesponsibility arm of SM Supermalls, Book Nook has been designed as a space for reading, exchanging ideas, and participate in creative and educational activities.
Branches are located at SM North EDSA (The Annex, Level 3) and SM Podium (Level 5), with book readings, storytelling sessions, workshops, and creative gatherings being hosted regularly.
SM Supermalls, at present, has 90 malls in the Philippines and 9 in China, and is one of Southeast Asia’s largest mall developers and operators.