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Students from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)’s STEM Foundation has made history

Students from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)’s STEM Foundation has made history

Thursday, 02/03/2023

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A team of students from Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT)’s STEM Foundation has made history when they made it to the final round for the first time and emerged as the runner-up.

A total of 44 English and Malay teams from 13 institutions of higher learning and matriculation centres from around the country competed in the Public University Inter Foundation Debate Competition 2023 last week to take home the trophy. The semifinal and final rounds were physically held at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia on 18 and 19 February.

The final round for English category saw Universiti Malaya A and Universiti Malaysia Terengganu teams fiercely battling it out on the motion “This house believes that parents should raise their children to prioritise collectivism over individualism.” Universiti Malaya A was announced the first-place winner and UMT the runner-up.

Although the UMT team did not become the champion, they considered coming in second was already big and meaningful. UMT team comprised Muhammad Haziq Irfan Azman, Muhammad Adam Kamarul Azman, Muhammad Aiman Syauqi Mohamad Zaini, and Muhammad Hazeezur Abdul Rauf.

“The win is a special achievement for us, but the experience and the journey until the final round is even more valuable,” said Muhammad Haziq Irfan.

The debate is held annually and organized by Council of Public University Foundation Deans/Directors. It gathers a lineup of debaters from Foundation and Matriculation students. The debate was first introduced in 2020 and follows the format of a parliamentary debate, with the main objective of discovering the talent and sharpening the public speaking skills among foundation/matriculation students.

Meanwhile, Director of the Council of Public University Foundation/Matriculation Deans/Directors Assoc. Prof. Dr. Laili Che Rose said the debate competition that has entered the third year can encourage critical and analytical thinking among students.

Dr. Laili who is also UMT STEM Foundation Director hoped the event will be continued well into the future.