Eastern University at DLSU Worlds

Kazi Tahmina

It was quite a humorous, insightful and at the same time, controversial showcasing of new ideas and perspectives when in round one of DLSU Worlds, debaters from different regions of the world debated over the topic: “fathers take paternity leave”. Such was the spirit of DLSU Worlds, the 32nd World Universities Debate Championship (WUDC), 2011-2012, also known as 'Olympics of Debating' which was held from December 27, 2011 to January 04, 2012 in De La Salle University in Manila, Philippines.

This was indeed an honour for Eastern University Debating Club (EUDC) to take part in DLSU Worlds. This was the first time for EUDC to join an international debating community. To keep up with the commitment of teaching minds, hearts and transform lives, Eastern University has been encouraging its students in various academic and non-academic pursuits. Extra-curricular activities are much encouraged here and EUDC was formed with a view to practicing this time-honored art of debate. With this spirit, Eastern University sent its first team consisting of 2 members (Ayesha Khatun Matin and Nandita Adhikary) to join with the 1400 brightest eloquent young people across the globe who came to showcase their extraordinary talent in Worlds. Kazi Tahmina, Coordinator, EUDC accompanied the team as an adjudicator and Humaira Shegufta Chowdhury, Treasurer, EUDC went as an observer.

This year 396 teams from all over the world (including all the top ranking universities like Oxford, Cambridge, Monash, Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Victoria Wellington etc.) participated in DLSU Worlds. This was indeed a wonderful opportunity to exchange ideas, to learn about new cultures, to experience this generations' intellectual and oratory talents.

The debate took place in British Parliamentary format and there were nine preliminary rounds where each team had to participate. The elimination rounds led to the Octo-Finals; Quarter-Finals; Semi Finals and finally to the Final Round where Monash University beat out teams from Oxford, Stanford and the University of Sydney in WUDC for the second year in a row. There were separate categories for EFL (English as a foreign language), ESL (English as a second language), Public Speaking and also Masters Round. Nine colourful events were carried on among which Opening Cocktails, Filipino Night, Women's Night, Break Night Party, Comedy Night and Championship Dinner (Black Tie Ball) were the most prominent ones.

De La Salle University Worlds has been and continues to be a great experience for Eastern University Debating Club. EUDC believes 'Participation is as good as winning'. It scored 8 in the first 9 Rounds. It is mention worthy that there were more than 12 Bangladeshi Institutions that took part in WUDC, 2012 and many of them did quite well. EUDC looks forward to participate in the coming years.