Keen competition in Inter-School English Debate and Oratory Competition

Miri – 10 June 2016 – The recent third annual Inter-School English Debate and Oratory Competition at Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) saw keen competition from the 11 participating secondary schools in Miri, Kuching, Mukah and Betong.

Representing Miri were SMK Lutong, SMK Pujut, Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, SMK Dato Permaisuri and SMK Chung Hua Miri, whilst SMK St. Joseph Kuching, SMK Batu Lintang, Chung Hua Middle School No. 1 and Kolej Datu Patinggi Abang Haji Abdilah represented Kuching. Maktab Rendah Sains Mara (MRSM) Betong and MRSM Mukah represented Betong and Mukah respectively.

Held in The Auditorium at the university, the competition was organised by the Curtin Young Associates (CYA), Curtin Sarawak’s youth outreach programme, in collaboration with the Curtin Oratory & Debating Society (CODES).

The CYA is administered by the Marketing Department of Curtin Sarawak and its activities are coordinated by students of the university.

According to Marketing Manager Klaus Sim, the main objective of the annual competition is to enhance the students’ ability to analyse issues, evaluate evidence and present arguments in an articulate and convincing manner.

“The students will develop proficiencies in public speaking and idea organisation that will augur well for them in their future studies and careers,” Sim remarked.

He said it is very much along the lines of the attainment of the Curtin graduate attributes by Curtin Sarawak students where they are presented with appropriate learning, teaching and assessment experiences to enable them to develop and demonstrate the ability to apply a raft of critical qualities and skills.

Sim added that the competition is also an opportunity for the university to enhance its relationships with the participating schools and it is hoped more schools will join the future.

The head adjudicator for the debate competition was Keeshanan Sundaresan, Chief Editor at FourthOfficial.com and an alumnus of Curtin Sarawak, as well as an active debater in the World Universities Debating Championship. Other adjudicators were from CODES, the Malaysian Institute for Debate and Public Speaking (MIDP).

Meanwhile, judges for the oratory competition consisted of academic staff from the Department of Culture and Languages of Curtin Sarawak’s Faculty of Humanities.

The guest of honour was Rakin Sebastian Rumpang, Head of the Academic Management Unit at the Miri Education Office.

SMK St. Joseph Kuching emerged champion in the debate competition, winning a RM3,000 cash prize, challenge trophy, certificate and individual trophies, while SMK Lutong was first runner-up. Walter Jeremiah of SMK Batu Lintang was adjudged Overall Best Speaker.

In the oratory competition, Amanda Dina anak Michael Nangkai of SMK Lutong came up tops with her speech entitled ‘A Watched Pot Never Boils’. First runner-up was Adriana Aina Binti Che Ismail of Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Haji Bujang, followed by Jordan Ku of SMK St. Joseph Kuching in third place.

The CYA and CODES earlier ran a debating workshop for the participants to prepare them for the Inter-School Debate and Oratory Competition.

The CYA currently has over 500 members comprising secondary school students aged 16 and 17. The benefits of membership include online academic support and the opportunity to attend pre-exam workshops and motivational camps, among others.

Enrolment for Curtin Sarawak’s second semester intake is now in progress with classes for undergraduate and foundation programmes commencing on 1 August 2016 and 15 August 2016 respectively. For enquiries, call +60 85 443 939 or visit www.curtin.edu.my/future/enquiry.htm.

Participants, adjudicators, judges, and spectators pose for group photo.

SMK St. Joseph Kuching emerges champion in debate competition.

Rakin presenting SMK Lutong’s Amanda Dina ak Michael Nangkai her prizes.

Walter Jeremiah of SMK Batu Lintang is Overall Best Speaker.