Yusra Binte Sikandar, a student of School of Life Sciences (SLS) of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB) won the prestigious title of 'Division L' Champion in Humorous Speech Contest 2019 under Toastmasters International (TI). The event, named 'Ebullience 2019', was held in Cox's Bazar on November 15 and 16, 2019. Yusra will be representing Bangladesh in Oration 2020, TI District 41 Conference in May 2020 at New Delhi, India against division champions of Bhutan, Nepal and India.
Division L is made up of all 16 Toastmaster clubs of Bangladesh distributed under five areas namely, Area L1, L2, L3, L4 and L5.The competition, Ebullience 2019, was participated by five area champions representing these five areas. All these area champions, at first, had to win in their respective club levels and then had to win in their area levels as well to represent their respective areas in the Division competition. Yusra belongs to IUB Toastmasters Club under Area L3.
Every year, Toastmasters International holds 'humorous speech' contest to provide an opportunity for speakers to improve their speaking abilities and to recognise the best as encouragement to all. It also provides an opportunity to learn by observing the more proficient speakers who have benefited from their Toastmasters training. It brings out the best of the best Toastmasters where the 'division' champion competes in the 'district' level and then at the international level.
Toastmasters International is a non-profit educational organisation that teaches public speaking and leadership skills through a worldwide network of clubs. Headquartered in Colorado, USA, the organisation's membership exceeds 358,000 in more than 16,800 clubs in 143 countries. Since 1924, Toastmasters International has been helping people from diverse backgrounds to become more confident speakers, communicators, and leaders, says a press release.