KUCHING: Seventy-four debaters are undergoing intensive training ahead of the inaugural Premier of Sarawak Debate Challenge Cup 2026, which begins on Aug 17.
The workshop is being conducted by Malaysian Universities Debating Council (MADUM) members, ChM Dr Alvin Lim Teik Zhang and senior lecturer Dr Keeren Sundara Rajoo, both from Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) Sarawak.
MADUM’s involvement provides participants with exposure to competitive university-level debating standards, covering motion analysis, case construction, rebuttal techniques, Points of Information (POI), debating strategies and parliamentary-style debate.
Participants are also undergoing practical exercises to sharpen their ability to identify key issues, determine burdens of proof, structure arguments and respond to opposing views within set time limits.
Lim said the competition’s value should not be measured by victory alone, but also by the skills and values participants gain beyond the debating stage.
“The value of this competition goes beyond winning. It helps students build self-confidence, critical thinking, resilience, teamwork and respect for different perspectives,” he said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Keeren said having the courage to participate was already an important step in the participants’ development.
“Through this workshop, I hope they can build greater confidence, strengthen their skills and continue improving their abilities as debaters,” he said.
The workshop was officiated by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak’s Rector, Professor Dr Firdaus Abdullah, who said debate could develop students beyond formal classroom learning.
He said UiTM Sarawak believed universities should provide platforms for students to test ideas, develop leadership skills, and engage meaningfully with society.
Firdaus also said the collaboration between UiTM Sarawak and Angkatan Zaman Mansang Sarawak (AZAM Sarawak) could open opportunities for more student development initiatives.
The programme also featured a technical briefing on the competition format, rules and procedures.
Organised by AZAM Sarawak under the theme ‘Engaging Minds, Advancing Sarawak’, the competition will culminate in the Grand Final at 7:00 pm on Aug 18 at Dewan Jubli, UiTM Sarawak, which will be open to the public.
