By By Muhammad Hisyamuddin bin Sazali, Student Affairs and Alumni Division
Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) reaffirmed its status as an eco-conscious institution by playing host to the 32nd Inter-Higher Education Institution (IPT) Environmental Debate Competition 2026.
The four-day tournament held in June formed a key component of the university’s strategic initiative to drive environmental awareness and foster an intellectual culture among tertiary students.
UMT Vice-Chancellor Professor Ir. Ts. Dr. Mohd Zamri Ibrahim said that hosting the national-level competition reinforces UMT’s role as a premier institution advocating environmental conservation and green leadership.
He stressed that as a university dedicated to marine and environmental sustainability, UMT takes immense pride in offering a platform where the nation’s brightest young minds can critically engage with pivotal topics such as the blue economy, climate change, and sustainable development.
“Our collaboration with the Department of Environment (DOE) and strategic partners reflects UMT’s ongoing commitment to cultivating future leaders equipped to address complex environmental realities,” he said.
Meanwhile, UMT Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) Professor Dr. Mohd Izani Mohd Zain, who also serves as Chairman of the Malaysian Universities Debate Council (MADUM), said the initiative aligns with the Ministry of Higher Education’s (MOHE) mission to produce holistic and globally competitive graduates.
He noted that public debate serves as a crucial medium to build self-confidence and analytical thinking skills while deepening students’ understanding of national environmental policies.
“Debate serves as an effective platform to amplify youth voices for environmental justice, in line with the nation’s sustainable development agenda and the aspirations of Malaysia Madani,” Dr. Mohd Izani added.
Held at the UMT Convention Centre (UMTCC) and Sultan Mizan Hall, the event coincided with World Environment Day on June 5. Organised by DOE in collaboration with MADUM, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka (DBP), and strategic partner Noor Arfa Batik Sdn Bhd, the competition drew 104 debaters across 26 teams from public and private universities.
At the grand finale, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan (UMK) emerged as champions while International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) finished as runner-up.
The tournament also served as an experiential learning ground for 59 UMT students who made up the student organizing committee. They were exposed to national-level event management that helped build critical soft skills such as leadership, strategic planning, cross-agency coordination and teamwork. Working directly alongside government bodies and corporate entities, they gained practical experience in stakeholder management and problem-solving, adding significant value to their career readiness and personal development.
Beyond conventional debate competitions, under UMT’s leadership, MADUM has also progressively broadened its scope to embrace a wider spectrum of public speaking arts. A key milestone of this initiative is “Podcast JIWA SISWA,” produced in strategic partnership with *Yayasan Perkasa Siswa*, which offers tertiary students a contemporary digital platform to articulate ideas, debate current issues, and engage in meaningful public discourse.
