When the Library Became a Classroom: An Innovative UHV Session for SE EXTC A & B

 

An experiential approach to understanding Universal Human Values through everyday interactions

Universal Human Values (UHV) is most meaningful when it moves beyond the boundaries of a classroom and becomes connected with everyday life. Demonstrating this philosophy, an innovative and experiential UHV session was conducted for the students of SE EXTC A and SE EXTC B by Dr. Vaqar Ansari.

Rather than following a conventional lecture-based approach, Dr. Ansari chose an environment familiar to every student—the library—and transformed it into a space for dialogue, reflection and value-based learning.

From Classroom Lecture to Real-Life Conversation

The session took an unconventional approach. Instead of simply explaining values through theoretical concepts, Dr. Ansari encouraged students to understand them through their interaction with the people and systems around them.

A significant part of the session involved conversations and interviews with the library staff members. The interaction extended across the library team, including the security staff, allowing students to hear directly from the people responsible for maintaining and supporting the functioning of the library.

This provided students with an opportunity to appreciate the fact that an institution functions through the collective contribution of people performing different roles.

The interaction naturally opened up conversations around respect, dignity of work, responsibility, cooperation and mutual understanding.

Understanding Library Guidelines Through UHV

One of the most interesting aspects of the session was the way students were encouraged to look at the so-called “restrictions” of the library.

Maintaining silence, handling books responsibly, following borrowing procedures, respecting library property, complying with security requirements and being considerate towards fellow users can sometimes be perceived by students simply as a list of rules.

The session encouraged them to look at these practices differently.

They are not merely restrictions.

They are guidelines designed to enable everyone to use a shared learning space comfortably and responsibly.

Maintaining silence, for instance, is not merely about following an instruction. It is about recognising and respecting another student's need for concentration.

Taking care of books is not merely about institutional property. It is about acknowledging that the same resource will be required by many others.

Following procedures is not merely about compliance. It is about understanding one's responsibility towards a system created for the benefit of the entire academic community.

This shift—from “I have to follow this rule” to “I understand why this guideline matters”—is at the heart of experiential value education.

Every Member of the Library Team Matters

The inclusion of the security staff and other library personnel made the interaction particularly meaningful.

Students were able to understand that the library is not operated by a single individual. It is a collaborative ecosystem involving librarians, supporting staff and security personnel, each contributing to its smooth functioning.

Such interaction helps students recognise the dignity and importance of every role, irrespective of designation.

It also creates an opportunity to develop empathy and respect towards the people students encounter in their daily academic environment.

That Is the Essence of UHV

The session demonstrated that UHV need not always be taught through a presentation, a lecture or a textbook.

It can emerge from a simple conversation.

It can be found in the way we speak to someone.

It can be experienced when we understand another person's responsibilities.

It can be practised when we respect shared spaces.

It can be reflected in the way we use institutional resources.

Most importantly, it can be understood when students begin to recognise the connection between their actions and their impact on others.

The session therefore became more than an interaction about library usage. It became an opportunity for students to reflect upon responsibility, respect, cooperation, empathy and harmonious coexistence.

The Library as a Living Learning Space

Traditionally, a library is viewed primarily as a repository of books and information. However, this session highlighted another dimension of the library—as a living learning space where students can develop not only academic knowledge but also social awareness and responsible behaviour.

By taking UHV into this everyday environment, Dr. Vaqar Ansari demonstrated an effective way of making value education relevant, relatable and experiential.

For the students of SE EXTC A and B, the message was simple yet profound:

The values we discuss in the classroom are the values we practise in the spaces we share with others.

And perhaps that is the real purpose of UHV—not merely to teach students about values, but to help them recognise values in everyday people, situations and choices.

Because sometimes, the most meaningful classroom is the one we enter every day.