WUDC 2008 registration update

Dear All,

We have hit our team cap of 360 as announced two or so weeks ago. There are no more adjudicator slots now available. We have around 50 teams on the waiting list. We have a few adjudicators on waiting list also. Ladies and gentleman, we really appreciate all your excitement and support. We ask for your patience as the organizing committee clears out important matters. We are working hard to enforce policies which will ensure the quality of this tournament.

I am receiving hundreds of request from institutions each and every day. I cannot entertain any request till I am given a clear signal from the adjudication core. We have to come to an consensus. We have to make sure the adjudication core can accomodate all these teams, the logistics can support all these teams. If the budget is there for accepting more teams etc? We are sticking to our cap of 360 as of now. There is no moving away from that. Please try to understand our situation as an hosting institution. We ask for your support and cooperation. I have a lot of people very stressed out and angry people emailing me, please just be patient. The waiting list is very long and I cannot confirm anything till I am sure about which teams have dropped, which teams are changing their number of teams and adjudicators and what the adjudication core decide.

I would like to apologize to certain institutions that communicated with me in mid August regarding payments. They asked if it was ok for them to transfer money 3rd week during Late registration phase. AT that time , based on the number of teams that had been paid for, I estimated we wouldn't hit our cap by then, therefore I inform them they would have a good chance to get slots. I did not confirm to them their slots. My emails from last week of August all the way till announcement of late registration did clearly warn people that slots were being taken fast.

During the last week of August and between September 1- 5, the number of teams multiplied two folds. Number of teams were increasing by 20-30 per night. Once late registration open, within a few days, all slots were grabbed. We hit our cap way sooner than I expected. A lot of teams continued to register and transfer funds, a lot of them without my consent even after two emails clearly warning them to confirm with me first then they can proceed with payment. People were transfering funds that were extremely hard to trace , no messege, no institution name, no institution rep name to match the fund transfer to institution. To control the situation we shut down the registration system. I apologize for any inconvenience. Once we clear out all these matters. We will re open the system to allow registered teams to enter their details and team combinations etc.

We are doing our best to help all of you and give everyone a fair chance to participate.

It is impossible for any new institutions or adjudicators to register now. If we accept more teams and adjudicators, it will be purely from the waiting list.

We have no intention to create any inconvenience to any of you. Thank you for your time. Take care! Hope to see you all in Bangkok!

Regards,
Tarique
Tournament Director,
World Universities Debating Championship 2008

China FLTRP Cup National English Debating Competition 2007

Dear all,

Huang Cheng majored in Finance and Fan Fuyin majored in Environmental Sciences trained by Fudan College English Department won the 11th "FLTRP (Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press) Cup" National English debating competition which ended on recently in China. Logical reasoning, witty eloquence and close cooperation ensured the two debaters at the leading position through the three-day round robins and two-day eliminations.

128 debating teams from colleges and universities nationwide joined the competition this year. "FLTRP Cup" National English debating competition is the The Most Prestigious English Debating Competition in China and this year it was organized by the Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press and Cambridge University Press, co-organized by China English Language Education Association, Spoken English Union, "English learning" magazine, and the International Debate Education Association. This National English debating competition took place in 1997, and was held annually, which is of the highest level and greatest impact. It is the second time that Fudan University takes the championship in this competition.

Regards,
Rashedul Hasan Stalin

First Beijing MINGFA Eight-School Law Graduate Debate Contest

Dear all,

Recently Renmin University of China Law School Team took the first prize winning against the host Chinese University of Political Science and Law Team in the first Beijing MINGFA Eight-School Law Graduate Debate Contest. The contest was the first debating platform designed for Beijing Law graduates, as by hosted by the Chinese University of Political Science and Law. They were assisted by Renmin University of China, Peking University, Tsinghua University, Beijing Normal University and three other universities.

Regards,
Rashedul Hasan Stalin

India Premchand International Parliamentary Debate 2007

Dear all,

The Debating Society at Hindu College, University of Delhi, India is hosting the 5th annual Premchand International Invitational Parliamentary Debate from 3rd – 6th December 2007

The Premchand Memorial Debate has been a spectacular success in the preceding years, receiving widespread media coverage and participation from the best universities of India and international teams from Pakistan, Australia and Singapore. It has been credited for being a pioneering effort in the University of Delhi. In 2005, the debate was converted into an International Parliamentary based upon the Cambridge Style of Parliamentary Debating, wherein each team consists of two members, with certain speaker roles assigned to each speaker. There is a Prime Minister of the house, a Deputy Prime Minister, Leader of Opposition, and a Deputy Leader of Opposition. The debate revolves around various topics, ranging from issues relating to current affairs, media, sports, socio-economics issues and other matters of consequence.

The invitation is for TWO teams per college, and minimum 2 adjudicators. We would be providing food and accommodation for all four days of the event i.e. from the 3rd to 6th December.

Our college credentials can be checked on the website:
http://www.hinducollege.org/

Also, keeping in mind constant enquiries on the subject, The Hindu College is not limited to people of a particular faith (Hinduism); it is in fact a prestigious college with a glorious historical heritage traceable to the British era.

This is primarily a notification for International teams so that the necessary arrangements ranging from travel documents to funding can be arranged for well in advance. The official invite will be sent at the earliest possible time, tentatively in the month of October.

We look forward to your participation. For all future correspondence
contact this e-mail address -

hindu.debating.society@gmail.com.

Thanking you
Tanvi Lal
President,The Debating society,
Hindu College.

Doha Debates; A New Horizon for Middle East

Dear all,

As a decision-making tool, the medium of debate has its roots in the early democracies of ancient Greece and Rome and remains the essential method by which parliamentary democracies today conduct their legislative process. Debates are frequently used in schools and universities to train young people to speak in public and to enhance their education in democracy and freedom of speech.

The aim of the Doha Debates is to allow a public exploration of the important issues in the Arab and Islamic worlds and apply the principles of free speech and democratic decision-making through the use of this traditional debating format. The purpose is also to create a sense of social responsibility that will carry through to real life. The Qatar Foundation is well known as a venue where people of various backgrounds, expertise and opinions can share knowledge and exchange views.

The Doha Debates have a format similar to the traditional `Oxford Union' debate, where discussion centres on a "motion", usually a controversial statement. Two teams argue for and against the motion; the discussion is then thrown open to the audience, directed by the chairman, Tim Sebastian. At the end of the debate, a vote is taken and the chairman announces the result, declaring the motion to have been passed or rejected by "the House". Tim Sebastian's international reputation of tough questioning and straight talking sets the tone of this ground-breaking enterprise.

The guest speakers strive to be eloquent, witty and provocative. They may attack their opponent's arguments - but not the person. The aim is to test the logic of an argument, examine complex subjects from a variety of angles and reach a vote among the audience that tests the effectiveness of what they have heard. It is hoped that the audience might be liberated from well-worn ideological clichés and inspired to fresh insights. At the very least, they will learn that an ideological opponent's view can also be valid.

The Doha Debates have been broadcast on BBC World since January 2005. BBC World is the BBC's international, 24 hour news channel, broadcasting by satellite to nearly 300 million people in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.


For more please visits the link bellow
http://www.thedohadebates.com/

Regards,
Rashedul Hasan Stalin

Qatar holds Largest Debating Workshop

Dear all,

Andrew Goodman, Chairman of the Debates Selection Committee of the Oxford Union, and Alex Just, former President of the Oxford Union, made the comment after spending two weeks in Qatar running debating workshops.

More than 500 students and faculty from 15 educational institutions took part in the workshops. The Oxford coaches said they believe it was the largest debating training pilot of its kind to be run anywhere in the world and were impressed by the enthusiasm of those who took part.'We've held debating workshops and training sessions in many countries around the world but were really struck by the level of demand here in Qatar. It is rare to find so many young people interested in learning more about debating,' said Andrew Goodman.

'We have seen many talented students and we hope to help develop a team from Qatar which will be able to take part in international competitions next years,' he added. The groundbreaking workshops provided an introduction to the rules of international debating, as well as coaching on how to develop arguments, improve style and think strategically.The workshops were held in association with Qatar Foundation and the Doha Debates, which forged a relationship with the Oxford Union when they held their first overseas debate in Oxford on May 1st, 2007.

Seventy-five percent of those attending the workshops were female and a third of participants were Qatari nationals. Alex Just said, 'Such figures would be extraordinary in the West, but in the Gulf region, they are nothing short of phenomenal. I think there is great potential for Qatar to become the leading debating nation in this region.'

Meeran Naji, a student at Qatar Academy, said, 'The workshop was really useful in giving us information about competitive debating and helped me and my school friends be more confident talking in front of other people. I would love to get more involved in debating and maybe even represent my country one day!'

More workshops are planned for November and December to introduce new students to debating as well and to provide intensive training for those serious about competing.'Many students in Qatar already have experience in debating and it would be great to take it to the next level and have formal competitions set up here,' said Alex Just. 'We haven't seen many teams from the Middle East competing in international competitions in the past and it would be wonderful to see Qatar on the world debating stage.'

Regards,
Rashedul Hasan Stalin

Source: http://www.ameinfo.com/132986.html

Philippine Square Off Debate 2007 Update

Dear all,

I didn’t get to watch the round but I was told that Xavier University (formerly known as Ateneo de Cagayan) beat the University of the Philippines Baguio in the fifth octofinal round of the Square Off! Debate Championships. Xavier becomes the first provincial school to advance to the quarterfinals after schools like Western Mindanao State University, Mindanao State University - Marawi City and University of Baguio failed to secure a slot in the next round. This is an upset of sorts. UP Baguio was the fifth seed in the competition while Xavier was the twelfth seed.

Xavier will face De Lasalle University in the quarterfinals. This is the second upset in five rounds so I guess that shows that anything can really happen.

Octofinal#5: Xavier (12) def. UP Baguio (5), unanimous
Octofinal#4: DLSU (4) def. Univ. of Baguio (13), split
Octofinal#3: PUP (14) def. UST (3), unanimous
Octofinals#2: UP Diliman (2) def. MSU-Marawi City (15), unanimous
Octofinals #1: ADMU (1) def. WMSU (16), unanimous

Next week: Ateneo de Zamboanga vs. UP Manila

Regards,
Atheista

Source: http://www.atheista.net

Indian Jammu & Kashmir Debating Championship 07

Dear all,

The final round of the debate on Gandhian philosophy and its relevance in the 21st century held in educational institutes throughout Jammu and Kashmir will be telecast live by Doordarshan on October 2, Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said today.

"During my recent visit to Delhi I discussed with Information and broadcasting Minister Priyaranjan Das Munshi holding of the state-wide debate and he told me that the concluding event would be telecast live on national channel," Azad said interacting with principals of 29 degree colleges of Kashmir and Ladakh regions here.

The interaction was organised to have feedback on educational and other curricular activities and construction projects, especially in the newly set up degree colleges.

A total of 11 college students, six from Kashmir and five from Jammu, have made it to the final round of the debate to be held on Gandhi Jayanti at the Sher-e-Kashmir International Convention Centre here.

In the schools category, eight students - four each from Kashmir and Jammu divisions - have been selected for the final round.

The chief minister said the final round of the competition would be simultaneously held for both college and school students.

In both the categories there would be four prizes including Ist prize of Rs one lakh, 2nd prize of Rs 50,000 and two 3rd prizes of Rs 25,000. The winners would also be given trophies and certificates, Azad said adding the prize money involved in the debate is the biggest amount to be given away in the country to students in a debate like this.

He said live telecast would encourage holding of such debates in other parts of the country also.

Regards,
Rashedul Hasan Stalin

Source: Srinagar, Sept. 26 (PTI): http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/004200709261840.htm

NTU Singapore Announced Worlds 2010 Bid

--- "Vikram Balasubramanian" wrote:

Hi Ian

Following from our earlier discussions, I am proud to inform you that NTU (Singapore) will be bidding for the Worlds Universities Debating Championships in 2010. We will be presenting a comprehensive bid during the Assumption Worlds later this year.

We believe that our track-record in hosting major international tournaments (All-Asians 1994 and 1997, Australasians 2001, Worlds 2004, AUDC 2005) will stand us in good stead as we seek to host yet another great Worlds. While retaining the formidable efficiency from our 2004 edition, we promise a great deal more fun and some spectacular socials in 2010.

We have already obtained the complete backing of our university and roped in sponsors. Our work with airlines, hotels and corporates have yielded very positive results so far. Now we feel it is time to get the input of all potential participants and the broader debating community. We hope to hear from everyone regarding their expectations from our bid, on all matters including debating, adjudication, costs,accomodations and socials. We intend to working towards giving everyone the Worldsas they want it.

The bid website is up at http://www.ntu.edu.sg/worlds2010
and all queries/feedback/ comments can be emailed to ntuworlds2010@ gmail.com

We hope you can help forward this message to the Worlds community and thus formally announcing our bid. We hope to working closely with you in the coming months as we finalise the details of our bid.

Thank you
Vikram Balasubramanian
(on behalf of the NTU Worlds 2010 Bid Committee)

NEW Debate Game: DEBATE THIS

Dear all,

Good news for Debaters, Gold Brick Games recently introduced "Debate This" a complete debating game for you. This Game is now available in the online store. Very exciting game for your leisure time and you can bye this game by using your Credit card or by online payment system from the web.

Debate This is the hot new board game that celebrates the art of lively banter and creative embellishment. In a test of words and wit, players debate topics ranging from social norms to sports, pop culture to politics, relationships to personal behavior. During each round, teams square off to deliver the most clever, creative, entertaining and persuasive argument to support their position and win points from the independent judge. The judge likes to be amused, entertained and enlightened. More entertainment, more points. The first team to cross the finish line wins the game. But it's the debates that will have people talking the next day. When family and friends get together, Debate This is the game that gives them all a chance to speak their mind.

Please see the link http://www.goldbrickgames.com/

Regards,
Rashedul Hasan Stalin