With the theme ‘Strength in Diversity, Unity in Creativity,’ the ‘CUDS National Debate Festival 2024,’ presented by Presidency University, was organized by the Chittagong University Debating Society (CUDS) at the Faculty of Business Administration, University of Chittagong (CU).
The two-day festival occurred on Friday, October 25, and Saturday, October 26. Top debaters from 48 renowned educational institutions nationwide participated in this national-level competition.
Among the participants were 28 teams from universities and 20 teams from schools and colleges, all judged by a panel of over 30 qualified adjudicators, including prominent and successful debaters from around the country.
Additionally, over 50 students from various institutions served as independent judges, gaining experience and training in adjudication.
The debate festival was conducted in two stages following the Asian Parliamentary format. Each team participated in four preliminary rounds, after which qualified teams advanced through the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final round.
In the university category, the finalist teams were Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP) and Jahangirnagar University.
Jahangirnagar University Debating Organization (JUDO) claimed the championship, with the Bangladesh University of Professionals Debating Club (BUPDC) as the runner-up. Fatema Tuz Zohra Boishakhi from the Champion team earned the title Best Speaker in the final.
Alvi Tonoy from BUP was named the debater of the tournament in the inter-university category.
In the school category, the finalist teams were Bangladesh Navy School and College Chattogram and Government Muslim High School. Government Muslim High School emerged as the champion, while Bangladesh Navy School and College, Chattogram, became the runner-up. Sadman Sarar from Government Muslim High School was awarded the title of Best Speaker in the final and the debater of the tournament in the school category.
The finalist teams at the school and college (open) level were Chittagong College and Patiya Government College. Chittagong College emerged as the champion, with Patiya Government College, Chittagong, as the runner-up.
Sadman Sarar was honored as the best speaker of the tournament, and Imrul Kayes, a debater from Chittagong College, was awarded the title of best speaker in the finals.
The event was graced by the honorable Vice-Chancellor of Chittagong University, Professor Dr. Mohammad Yeahia Akhter, as the chief guest. He shared his debate experiences from his university days and offered some valuable guidance to CUDS.
The event was also attended by other distinguished guests, including Chittagong University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr. Md. Kamal Uddin, Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic) Professor Dr Mohammed Shamim Uddin Khan, Proctor Professor Dr. Tanvir Mohammad Haider Arif, Club moderator Professor A.B.M Abu Noman, Registrar of the sponsor institution Presidency University- Md. Sakir Hossain, Manager of Abul Khair Group- A.N.M. Wazed Ali, CUDS’s President- Marzook E Elahi, and General Secretary Mehedi Hasan Emon.
Presidency University is the title sponsor of this year’s CUDS National Debate Festival. Strategic partners included Chittagong University MBA Association, with BSRM as the associate partner, Kurmure as the snacks partner, Starship as the beverage partner, and Ama Coffee as the coffee partner. Additionally, the Department of Narcotics Control provided comprehensive support for the festival.
The event was chaired by Marzook E Elahi, President of the Chittagong University Debating Society (CUDS).
