Feature

Debate for Generation Next 2008
English Debate Workshop

Masudur Rahman

For the first time in Chittagong, Star Campus and Drishty Chittagong jointly organized a day-long English Debate Workshop on internationally acclaimed debating formats (Asians and Worlds parliamentary debates) under the series of English Debating Programme “Star Campus - Drishty Debate for Generation Next '08.

The workshop took place at the Theatre Institute of Chittagong (TIC) auditorium in association with International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) and Mastermind International School. The inauguration ceremony was presided by Drishty President Masud Bakul, with the pleasant appearance of the Chief Guest Dr. Nitish Chandra Devnath, Vice Chancellor, Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Science University (CVASU).

The special guest Marilou Long, Administrative Director, William Carey Academy, emphasized that the participation in debates should be rationalized more than the debate aftermath. A total of 82 students from 14 English medium schools and 38 students from 5 famous universities attended the workshop.

Trainer of the morning phase was a successful debater from North-South University (NSU) Sinha Ibn Humayun, member of the first Bangladeshi team to break the nine levels at Worlds University Debate Championship 2008.

Joint Secretary of Drishty Chittagong, Adnan Mannan, conducted a session on rules, regulations and courtesy to be maintained by a debater. He then conducted a model Asians debate, participated by Mabrur Wasey, Rishad Sharif from Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Sinha Ibn Humayun from North-South University (NSU) Tazrian Shahid from Independent University of Bangladesh (IUB), Imran from International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) and Arif Khan of Drishty Chittagong. They faught each other on the topic, 'This house would allow corporal punishments in schools.'

After lunch, the next trainer, Rishad Sharif, a famous debater from Islamic University of Technology (IUT) conducted a session on debating principles. He then passed the floor on to the next trainer Mabrur Wasey from Islamic University of Technology (IUT), a Worlds experienced debater. He covered in his speech the most interesting debate form, that is, the British parliamentary format, known as the Worlds format. Unlike the Asians format, this form consists of an upper house with a government and opposition party and a lower house with a separate government and opposition party, debating on the same notion. What impressed the participants was that, the trainers shared their mistakes with the audience so that they could learn a lesson from those.

Then, a model debate of the British Parliamentary format was conducted by Adnan Mannan, while the notion “this house will legalize gambling” was enthusiastically debated by Rishad Sharif and Mabrur Wasey from Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Sinha Ibn Humayun from North-South University (NSU), Shahriar and Shafkat Fahmid from Cider International School, Grace from William Carey Academy Yarid from Chittagong University and Masudur Rahman of Drishty Chittagong.

After the enjoyable debate, the trainers individually asked the participants to come to the dais to speak on different notions and conducted a 'barowary' debate.

The chief guest of the closing ceremony was Jashim Uddin Chowdhury, Managing Editor, The Daily Purbokone. The closing ceremony was attended by International Islamic University Chittagong (IIUC) Registrar Sqn. Leader Nurul Islam, Mastermind International School Principal Golam Abu Mohammed and Advocate Mahboob Alam while they spoke in favour of the participants while Drishty President Masud Bakul gave out certificates to the students.

The whole event was coordinated by Syed Rifat Faruk, Asif Chowdhury, Masudur Rahman, Reza Chowdhury, Ehteshamul Islam and Raquibul Huda, Members, Drishty Chittagong.

(Writer is a debater and member, Drishty Chittagong).