American University of Sharjah (AUS) Debate Club members Tuqa Khalid and Mamour Ahmed competed in the Lund IV British Parliament Debating Championship held by Lund Debate Society in Sweden December 6-8, 2013.

More than 100 universities mainly from 12 European countries participated in the event, including prominent educational institutions such as the Manchester University, Stockholm School of Economics, London School of Economics, University of Helsinki and many more. The debate championship was overseen by an elite adjudication team who will also be serving as judges in the upcoming European University Debate Championship 2014 and the World University Debate Championship 2014. The debate championship followed the British Parliament style.

The AUS Debate team placed second in several rounds and finally ranked among the top 40 speakers out of 100.

"Overall, it was a great learning experience. We were able to practice our skills at the international level and we weren't disappointed with the results. It is our duty now to further the Debate Club to meet international debating standards and improve our competitiveness," said Mamour Ahmed, a senior mechanical engineering student.

"Being part of such a prestigious competition and doing well despite the odds is an achievement in itself. We have networked with university debate clubs from across the globe and we have witnessed how a serious debate club goes about its business. This was an eye-opening experience, and I personally will make it my mission to contribute much more to the AUS Debate Club as an international debating force to be reckoned with," said Tuqa Khalid, a junior electrical engineering student.

"The enthusiasm of our students is key to their achievements and learning experiences. Exposure to stringent competitions and meeting peers with the same interests are ideal circumstances for our students' personal and professional development. Student Affairs extends its full support to future Debate Club events," said Dr. Moza Al Shehhi, Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

The students' participation in the international event was arranged by Office of Student Affairs' Student Development and Organizations Department.