With academic institutions continuously adapting to the new normal, the landscape of educational publishing is shifting to meet the changing needs of students and educators. Giving the education market the opportunity to keep abreast of these latest developments, the Philippine Academic Book Fair is returning. This year's theme is “Global Education Readiness in an Era of Print and Digital Technology in the New Normal," and it will be held at the Megatrade Hall 2, 5th level of Mega B, SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City.
Accessibility has emerged at the forefront of the industry, with the pandemic accelerating the shift towards digital and open-access materials in academic publishing. “With publishers exploring new formats and delivery methods, the post-pandemic school library will likely see an increased emphasis on digital resources and more flexible spaces that can accommodate hybrid learning models. To remain relevant, school libraries can focus on providing access to high-quality digital resources, fostering information literacy skills, and creating welcoming and inclusive physical and virtual spaces,” states Jean Marie Tordesillas, chief marketing officer of Rex Education.
“The overarching objective of publication, in whatever modality, is access to information, more so in the restrictive mobility environment consequent to the height of the pandemic,” agrees Andrew de Jesus, vice president of Sales and Marketing of book importer and distributor F & J de Jesus. “Libraries and learning resource centers are expected to be able to cater now to both on-site and online, on-demand access to resource collections by clientele. Thus, whoever can push access to meaningful information in real-time will be ahead in the business of academic information management.”
Alongside accessibility comes the challenge of accommodating emerging technology within the scope of academic publishing. “We need to redefine books to include expectations of access to multi-media and online hypermedia resources, particularly with such fast-paced topics as technology development,” asserts Andrew.
Hybrid learning also took down physical barriers in education, opening up more diverse class populations, and requiring more involvement from parents. “There is an increased focus on diversity, equality, and inclusion in educational materials,” he reveals. “The pandemic also highlighted the value of parents and learning partners as they have become more proactive in the students’ learning. Therefore, materials can be developed and provided to them in order to give better support for the learners.
Finally, now more than ever, the education market is also hard pressed to remain the gatekeeper of quality information in the face of misinformation and fake news. “We are up against a vast network of online resources: cheap, sometimes even free, and very accessible. People now seldom see beyond the cost of textbooks, but the proper transmission of knowledge entails time and cost. Qualified people need to sift through the rich resources, verify, validate, curate and design to present knowledge in the best and most appropriate manner,” emphasizes Jean.
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Assisting the education market in navigating these new challenges, the 24th Philippine Academic Book Fair is set to once again gather school officials, librarians, teachers, professionals, reviewers, tutors, trainers and consultants, students and other members of the academe.
Organized by the Academic Booksellers Association of the Philippines (ABAP), the academic book fair will showcase the latest collection of academic books, magazines, journals, educational video and audio materials, publishing aids, electronic references and computers.
Exhibitors include Ateneo de Manila University Press, Bookquick Marketing, Book Trends Enterprises, C&E Adaptive Learning Solutions, CD Books International, Inc., Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd, F&J De Jesus, Inc, Fastbooks Educational Supply, Inc., Felnor General Merchandise Services, Forefront Book Co., Inc, and GALE, a Cengage company.
Also joining the book fair are Golden Books Services, Inc., IBC Book Consolidators, Inc., Linar International Book Resources, Inc., Manila Bulletin Publishing Corp., Megatexts Phil., Inc., Mind Mover Publishing House, Inc., Reader's Knowledge Bookstore, Rex Education, Treasure’s and Learning Book Store, University of the Philippines Press, and Vibal Group, Inc.
Co-organized by Primetrade Asia Inc., the 24th Philippine Academic Book Fair offers the best deals for cash buyers, with lower than internet prices. Remaindered stocks will also be on sale at the event.
For more details about the 24th Philippine Academic Book Fair, call 8896-0682 or e-mail [email protected].