KUCHING: Sixteen teams representing nine public and private higher learning institutions across Sarawak will compete in the inaugural Premier of Sarawak Debate Challenge Cup 2026, marking a significant milestone in promoting critical thinking, leadership and public speaking among university students.
The five-day tournament will be held from Aug 14 to 18 at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Sarawak Branch, bringing together participants from universities and teacher education institutes statewide in a bid to claim the historic inaugural championship.
AZAM Sarawak said the championship reflects a collective commitment to nurturing youth leadership while strengthening critical thinking and debate culture through a state-level platform for higher education institutions.
The organisation added that full participation from 16 teams demonstrates the strong commitment of higher learning institutions towards producing graduates equipped with analytical thinking, communication skills and confidence to address contemporary issues effectively.
Participating institutions are Universiti Teknologi Sarawak, ICATS University College, UiTM Sarawak Branch, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Curtin University Malaysia, Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus, IPG Tun Abdul Razak Campus, IPG Rajang Campus and IPG Batu Lintang Campus.
The tournament has also secured strong backing from corporate sponsors and strategic partners, highlighting broad support for initiatives that encourage intellectual excellence and youth empowerment across Sarawak.
Bintulu Port Holdings Berhad has come on board as the Platinum Supporting Partner, while SACOFA Sdn Bhd and Press Metal are supporting the event as Gold Supporting Partners.
Kupi-Kupi FM and Cats FM have been appointed as the Official Radio Partners, Sarawak Edition as the Official Social Media Partner, while PETRONAS is supporting the tournament as the Official In-Kind Partner.
Organisers said the combination of committed participants, strategic partnerships and corporate sponsorships reflects a shared aspiration to strengthen human capital development while cultivating a vibrant debating culture among Sarawak’s university community.
The championship will conclude with the grand final on Aug 18 at Dewan Jubli, UiTM Samarahan Campus 1, where the first-ever Premier of Sarawak Debate Challenge Cup champion will be crowned. Members of the public are encouraged to attend and witness the state’s finest university debaters in action.
