ARTICULATE STUDENTS SHOWCASED IN DEBATE COMPETITION

Rommy Kharisma Karindon ,  Student of Jenderal Soedirman University   |  Sun, 06/21/2009 1:17 PM  |  Discover

The tenth Jenderal Soedirman University (Unsoed) debate championship was the biggest annual activity held by the university's Student English Forum (SEF).

The X Inter Faculty Debating Championship (IFDC), which was held in Soemardjito hall from May 28 to 30, has become a popular forum for students to express their opinions.

With the theme "Exhibition of Expression", 19 teams representing all eight of the university's faculties (economy, law, social and political sciences, animal husbandry, engineering, agriculture, biology and medical and health science), plus a swing team from the organizing committee, joined in the competition, which used the Australian parliamentary system.

There were four preliminary rounds before the best sixteen teams were decided in the elimination round.

The team from the medical and health science faculty stopped last year's champions from the economics faculty in the semi finals, going on to win this year's title after defeating the team from the law faculty.

Far from a dry series of orations, the event featured a choir, traditional Acehnese Saman dancers and a musical performance.

The organizing committee worked for almost a year arranging the event. Some of participants even burst into tears upon watching a documentary chronicling the preparation process and first two days of the event.

As a member of the SEF and the organizing committee I wish to express my gratitude to all the participants, adjudicators, the SEF Consultative Board, SEF alumni, the university's rector, student bodies and everyone who helped make this event happen.

What Did They Say?

Tia Nuryani, Medical and Health Science Faculty debater

I found a lot of new friends in the championship. It is my first debate competition. I just decided to take part in it because I had been very busy with the examination and task papers.

The competition taught me about working hard, that there is no gain without pain and that I mustn't give up easily. I also hope that the friendship between faculties will be tightened.

Senia Keliawati, Law Faculty debater

In my opinion, X IFDC stands for Xtra Inspiration for Debating Challenge or Xtra Idea for Dedication of (the organizing) Committee. All of us participants went through a tough learning process and it was good for our development.

Gaby Febrita Indraswari, Economy Faculty adjudicator

The X IFDC was a great event. Although my faculty didn't pass through to the final, I learned many worthy lessons from this event about struggling, effort, togetherness and friendship.

I hope the next IFDC will be more crowded and better.

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