174 students take part in debate competition

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post/Jakarta

A total of 174 students from 37 universities across the country gathered at Bina Nusantara University in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on Friday to compete in an English debating competition aimed at improving their proficiency in English.

Project manager Indra Tjahja said the competition was intended to promote the use of English among Indonesians, especially young people, and enhance the logical and critical thinking of young Indonesians.

"We know that not many Indonesians use English, let alone master it. In addition, many young people are unable to think critically. The contest is intended to help address both these problems," Indra told The Jakarta Post.

Called the Indonesian Varsities English Debate, the event competition run until Feb. 16.

Universities sending representatives to the contest, the eighth of its kind, include the University of Indonesia, the Atma Jaya Catholic University Jakarta, and Hassanuddin University in Makassar, South Sulawesi.

Each university is allowed to send more than one team of three members. The teams first compete in the preliminary rounds to earn a place in the elimination round, which will involve 16 teams.

The organizers have set 11 topics for debate, including the adoption of tsunami orphans and the imposition of taxes on high- fat food products.

"This is not an ordinary debate as we employ the Australian parliament's debating rules, which give each team seven minutes to speak. One team defends a proposition while the other opposes it," Indra said.

He said that besides considering each team's proficiency in English, the jury would also assess the logic of the arguments put up by the teams.

"This is the biggest English debating contest in Indonesia. It is very prestigious and the team that wins the debate will become the undisputed champion of English-language debating in Indonesia," said Indra.