Secondary school students attend debate workshop at Curtin Sarawak

Miri – 26 May 2016 – 20 students from five secondary schools in Miri attended a debate workshop at the campus of Curtin University, Sarawak Malaysia (Curtin Sarawak) recently.

The workshop was jointly organised by the Curtin Oratory and Debating Society (CODES) and Curtin Young Associates (CYA).

Facilitating the workshop were fourth-year mechanical engineering student Vigneswaran Duraragh, third-year chemical engineering students Hasham Waheed Rajput and Nguyen Quang Minh, and second-year petroleum engineering student Shaysagiri Muthiah, all members of CODES.

The objectives of the workshop were to cultivate the participants’ critical thinking and analytical skills, build their confidence and inspire them to excel in their studies, in addition to helping them prepare for the upcoming 3rd CYA English Debate and Oratory Competition.

The competition on 28 and 29 May 2016 will be participated by students from SMK Lutong, SMK Pujut, Kolej Tun Datu Tuanku Hj Bujang, SMK Dato Permaisuri, SMK Chung Hua Miri, SMK St Joseph Kuching, SMK Batu Lintang, Chung Hua Middle School No 1 Kuching, Kolej Datu Patinggi Abg Hj Abdillah Kuching, MRSM Betong and MRSM Mukah.

The workshop was segmented into four sessions covering a mock debate, speech structure, case-building and rebuttal-construction.

All the students expressed satisfaction at how the workshop was conducted and commented that it was timely considering the competition is drawing near. A student from SMK Lutong remarked that it was very interactive, particularly the case-building session.

Formed in 2012, CODES is one of the most active and successful student clubs at Curtin Sarawak. Its members have participated in various national and international competitions including the Yayasan Sarawak English Debate Championship, Asian English Olympics Debate, Malaysia Debate Open, Sunway Debate Open and World University Debating Championship.

The CYA is a youth outreach programme administered by the Marketing Department of Curtin Sarawak and coordinated by students of the university. Currently, it has over 500 members comprising secondary school students aged 16 and 17. The benefits of CYA 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.

Vignesawaran conducting a session on speech structure.