174 students take part in debate competition

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.