Chittagong University Debating Society (CUDS) has virtually organised an international debate tournament – CU International Debate Fest 2021 – for the first time.
A total of 44 teams and 88 debaters from around the world took part in the two-day long event the CUDS organised on Saturday and Sunday using Discord and Zoom.
The tournament features four preliminary rounds on the first day and two finals – one for only ‘Novice and High School’ teams who are new in debating and the other for all teams – on the second and last day.
Anika Tahsin and Ahmed Tanjim, from Chittagong University, won the championship of' the Novice and High Schools’ final. Anika became the best speaker.
As for the final for all teams, Abhijitt Supramaniam and Joshua Paren Paul, from London School of Economics, secured the first position. Joshua Paul became the best speaker of the tournament.
The winners of the final for all teams received USD 120 while the winners of the Novice and High School final won USD 80 as prize money.
The tournament follows a closing ceremony with Chittagong University Vice Chancellor Professor Dr Shireen Akhter Chowdhury attending there as chief guest. CUDS Moderator and Dean of the Faculty of Law Professor AMB Abu Noman also attended the ceremony.
In her speech, Ms Chowdhury thanked all the participants and judges for successfully completing the tournament.
"The best thing about any international event is it brings together all the people who are from different cultures, regions and races so beautifully that the barriers among people and their minds dissolve. We are very proud to have a scope to host such an event in this chaotic situation of Covid-19," she said.
Mr Noman said in his speech, "It's a challenge to host an international tournament during a pandemic. But Chittagong University Debating Society has done wonders overcoming all the problems including different time zones, technical problems and everything."
