Manipal International University’s Debate Society recently organized the Manipal National Debate and Public Speaking Competition on 11 December 2015. Seven institutions including MIU took part in the competition with students from Nilai Polyteknik, Universiti Polyteknik Ibrahim Sultan, Curtin Sarawak, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Mahsa Universiti and Universiti Kuala Lumpur.

The opening ceremony was held in the presence of Dr. (Prof) PLNG Rao, Vice Chancellor, MIU, Dr. Zanuldin Ahmed, Deputy Vice Chancellor, MIU and Mr. Ram, Director of Student Services, MIU. Mr Ram addressed the crowd on the importance of Public Speaking and how it is major benefactor in the overall development of an individual.

The event commenced shortly after the opening ceremony. The participants were divided into two categories, Public Speakers and Debaters. Speeches by public speakers were prepared beforehand, while participants for the debate competition were put into quarantine rooms for 30 minutes to prepare for their debate.

The first topic allotted for the Debate competition was, “Should Gay Marriage Be Legalized in Malaysia”, followed by the second round with a new debate topic, “Global Warming and Climate Change, who to be blame, government or the people” . The debate competition was closed with the final debate round between Manipal International University and Universiti Teknologi MARA. The topic given was, “Corruption, Who To Be Blame, The Giver or The Receiver”.

It was observed that the debate that both teams were equally good by backing the topic with solid factual infiormation. As the competition was nearing an end the adjudicators were at loggerheads in picking the winner. It was decided that Universiti Teknologi MARA had a better stand in the debate and they were crowned the winners while MIU’s team bagged the 1st runner up position. The best speaker was also awarded to a participant from the Universiti Teknologi MARA.

The participants were given ample time to prepare for their speeches for the first round of the Public Speaking competition, while the second round was an impromptu round and topic given was ‘Freedom’. Participants were given five minutes to prep for the second round.

Participants from MIU won the championship and 1st runner up position, while the 2nd runner up position was awarded to a student from Curtin Sarawak.

The event was the first ever National Level event organized by MIU.

The corporate sponsor for the event was the PG Corp. The company was represented by their CEO at the event.