UI to take part in debate contest

JAKARTA (JP): Two teams from the University of Indonesia (UI) will take part in the World Universities Debating Championships which open in Manila on Dec. 27, their manager said on Friday.

Achmad Nurhoeri Sukarsono, who is also president of UI's English Debate Society, said this would be the first time an Indonesian had participated in the prestigious annual event, which is being contested by about 100 universities from around the world.

Two UI teams will be taking part. The first team comprises Patsy Widakuswara and Judithia A. Wirawan, and the second Ria Nuri Dharmawan and Puguh Priambodo. Achmad will accompany them to Manila as coach and manager.

The UI's debate society has been actively promoting the idea of competitive debates among university students throughout Indonesia and is currently helping UI's School of Letters to formulate the concept in the Indonesian language.

State-run UI won this year's Indonesian Varsities English Debate, the first ever contest of competitive debate in English among the country's colleges, which it hosted in August.

The UI's participation in Manila is supported by the British Embassy and British Council in Jakarta and has received various sponsorships, including from Marconi Electronics of the United Kingdom.