British High Commission brings the Great Debate to Balochistan
Quetta: The British High Commission continued the fifth edition of its GREAT Debate competition with a regional round at the Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management (BUITEMS) in Quetta on Thursday.
The competition featured 27 students from nine different universities across Balochistan. At the end of an intense competition, Asmat Ullah from BUITEMS was the winner and Muhammad Umair from the University of Balochistan was the runner-up.
The GREAT Debate competition is taking place from December 2019 to March 2020 in six cities across Pakistan.
Fouzia Younis, Director of Communication at the British High Commission said: “I am delighted that we have brought our GREAT Debate competition to Balochistan for the second consecutive year. It’s fantastic to see the vibrancy and energy of the youth of Quetta who have participated in this competition in strong numbers. The topics that were debated included climate change, an important issue that will shape our future. This is especially important as the UK prepares to host a major UN summit on climate change in November 2020. “
She added: “The competition gives the youth of this country a platform to participate in debates, interact with other students from different universities and hone their skills in research, analytical thinking and public speaking. These skills will enable them to contribute to a brighter future for Pakistan. I wish the winner and runner-up the best of luck for the final in Islamabad.”
Dr Faisal Kakar, The Pro Vice Chancellor of BUITEMS, said: “Debate and discourse distinguishes us as human. Never has the characteristic been more important than in the 21st century. I am delighted that the British High Commission has brought its GREAT Debate competition for the students of Balochistan again.”
This is the fifth annual edition of the British High Commission’s GREAT Debate competition. Since 2015, the competition has taken place across 15 universities and 12 cities in Pakistan. The previous winners of the GREAT Debate competition have included: Gaudhan Aslam from Forman Christian College in Lahore, Taha Ahmed from Aga Khan University in Karachi, Mohiba Ahmed and Haris Ali Virk from Government College University in Lahore.
The GREAT Debate is a debating competition for university students. There will been six events – in six different cities (Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta and Faisalabad) involving students from leading universities across Pakistan – and the winner and runner-up of each round will compete in the final in Islamabad.
The regional rounds have taken place in Lahore and Quetta. The upcoming regional rounds are in Peshawar, Islamabad, Faisalabad and Karachi at the end of January and early February.
The winner and runner-up of the overall competition will receive a scholarship reward to contribute towards their tuition fees.
