S.M.AKASH – Chattogram Bureau Chief: The AUW Debating Society is one of the most popular clubs at AUW, with more than 500 members from 19 countries. On Saturday 2nd November, the AUW Debating Society hosted the first ever inter-department competition at Asian University for Women, where students from various majors and academic backgrounds came together in teams of three to compete with each other.

A total of 16 teams competed in an Asian Parliamentary style debate, discussing issues on policy, education, media, feminism, and more. The final debate topic was “policymakers should only be selected based on their educational qualifications”. The lively discussions heard competing perspectives from the diverse student body at AUW.

The AUW Debating Society provides avenues for students to improve their public speaking skills and to engage in civil discussions and negotiations on various issues. The debating society believes that these skills are required for all future women leaders.

Asian University for Women Debating Society will be organizing the 1st AUW Inter-University Debate Championship to be held on 28th and 29th of February in 2020.  The inter-department competition was a prelude to this country wide event. The larger event installment will bring in the voices of debaters from universities across Bangladesh.

The inter-department competition was adjudicated by Dr. Selim Reza, Dr. Tiffany Cone, Dr. Elena Popa, Mr. Micheal Eaton, Mr. Jason Homer, Mr. John Remarek, Ms. Raisa Rahman, and Ms. Faria Shamsun. Members of faculty and staff, including Dr. Dave Dowland, University Registrar, Head of the Science Program Professor A.K.M. Moniruzzaman Mollah, Professor Ahmedul Kabir, Professor Masudur Rahman and Rajani Rao Palleti, Director of AUW Writing center. Team PAKISTAN  (Sidra Gul, Mehwish Rehmat, Faheema Baig) won the final round and Team Spirit (Maleha Chowdhury, Lutfun Nahar Anika, Adiba Ahmed) secured second position. After the competition, awards and certificates were distributed among the participants.