AUS team wins debate championship for third consecutive year

Top debating skills were on display at the Ninth American University of Sharjah (AUS) Intercollegiate Debating Championship, one of the most popular debating competitions in the country, hosted December 6-13 by the AUS Debate Club.

Fifty students from six universities across the UAE competed in five rounds of debate: two preliminary rounds, quarterfinals, semifinals and the grand finale. A total of 12 teams competed in the preliminary round and the top 8 teams from AUS, Middlesex University Dubai, BITS Pilani Dubai and University of Sharjah made it to the quarterfinals. After an exciting and adrenaline-filled five days of competition, AUS students Badar Duja, Rajah Bokhari and Sharif Anani battled it out against the BITS Pilani team in the grand finale held at university's plaza. Hundreds of students attended the final event and witnessed a phenomenal performance by both teams. 

AUS retained the prestigious championship cup for the third consecutive year and asserted its dominance in the intercollegiate debating arena. "The AUS Debate Club is one of the most active clubs at the university. The AUS Intercollegiate Debating Championship is a pioneer event of the club and has been held annually for the last nine years. I wish to thank the Debate Club for continuously organizing skill-building events and activities that complement their learning experience. Congratulations to all the winners," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

AUS Debate Club president Ali Khan stated, "It was a great victory for AUS Debate Club as we were successful in selecting and coaching the ideal team to compete in this event. We would like to thank the Office of Student Affairs for their endless support and special acknowledgement goes to our coaches Dr. Laila Noman and Dr. Khwalah Ahmed." 

BITS Pilani speaker Niyati Parmeshwar won the Best Overall Speaker award and AUS speaker Sharif Anani won the Best Speaker of the Knock-Outs award. 

The event was concluded with an awards ceremony attended by Munketh Taha, Director of the Student Development and Organizations Department, as well as other Student Affairs officials.