Participants with the guests of honour pose for a commemorative photo in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie Johnny
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KUCHING: The 20th Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debating Championship (SSIDC), one of the largest English debating tournaments for secondary schools nationwide, welcomed more than 300 secondary school students and teachers from all over the country.
The Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Swinburne University of Technology, Sarawak Campus, Prof. Lau Hieng Ho delivered a welcoming speech in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie Johnny
The tournament’s milestone, which took place from August 1 to 21, saw the participation of a total of 29 schools, coming from as far as SMK Limbang, Kolej Yayasan Saad Malacca, and even the British School Jakarta, Indonesia.
Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer of Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Prof. Lau Hieng Ho, said the SSIDC is indeed an auspicious event.
“Congratulations to the Swinburne Debaters’ Club and to all of you students and teachers who have supported this special debating tournament through the years,” he said in his speech during the prize-giving ceremony for the debate tournament at Swinburne building here today.
Lau said that the debate tournament has meant so much for the Swinburne alumni, and to the students who have come here to debate as secondary school through the years.
“I believe all of us were touched to see debaters speaking from their hearts.
“So, congratulations indeed, and many thanks to the Swinburne Debaters’ Club for creating this wonderful legacy for the students in Sarawak and all over Sarawak and our guests from other countries, including this year from Indonesia.
“To all you students out there, I know you all tried your hardest, and there have been ups and downs through three days of debating.
“I am glad that you’re sporting enough to be here and to watch the finalists battle it out to the bitter end,” he added.
Assistant Director of Student Development Section, Sarawak Education Department, Cikgu Agnes Molly, representing the Director of Sarawak Education Department, Datuk Dr. Azhar Ahmad, poses with the Chief Referee, Encik Kasun Illankoon (left), and Prof. Lau Hieng Ho (right) after presenting prizes to the winners of the lower secondary category, SMK Lutong in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie JohnnyAssistant Director of Student Development Section, Sarawak Education Department, Cikgu Agnes Molly, representing the Director of Sarawak Education Department, Datuk Dr. Azhar Ahmad, poses with the Chief Referee, Encik Kasun Illankoon (left), and Prof. Lau Hieng Ho (right) after presenting prizes to the winners of the lower secondary category, SMK Lutong in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie JohnnyAssistant Director of Student Development Section, Sarawak Education Department, Cikgu Agnes Molly, representing the Director of Sarawak Education Department, Datuk Dr. Azhar Ahmad, poses with the Chief Referee, Encik Kasun Illankoon (left), and Prof. Lau Hieng Ho (right) after presenting prizes to the winners of the upper secondary category, SMK Batu Lintang in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie JohnnyAssistant Director of Student Development Section, Sarawak Education Department, Cikgu Agnes Molly, representing the Director of Sarawak Education Department, Datuk Dr. Azhar Ahmad, poses with the Chief Referee, Encik Kasun Illankoon (left), and Prof. Lau Hieng Ho (right) after presenting prizes to the winners of the upper secondary category, SMK Batu Lintang in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie Johnny
He expressed appreciation for all the support from the principals, teachers, and parents who allow their students and children to come to Swinburne Sarawak, from near and far, to participate in its unique debate tournament here.
“And I hope that our tournament will continue to enjoy healthy participation from schools all over the country and region, and that English debate will continue to grow and attract students not only in Sarawak, but throughout Malaysia, and the Borneo region,” he added.
SMK Batu Lintang debate team coach, Ryan Rayner, was interviewed in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie JohnnyEnglish teacher, Dr. Ho Jia Yiing, was interviewed in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie JohnnyThe Best Debate Finalist (Senior Secondary Category), Hu Kwong Yi, poses with the Best Debate Finalist (Lower Secondary Category), s Leann Yi Zhen, (right), in conjunction with the 20th edition of the Swinburne Sarawak Inter-School Debate Championship, yesterday. Photo: Natalie Johnny
