Leonardo and Feliani astoundingly overtook a hundred opponents to win the 2020 National University Debating Championship (NUDC) in the main draw category (29/09). “We’re very proud to finally be able to clinch the title as champion,” said Feliani.
Hosted via online platform from Sept. 24th to 29th, due to the current spreading plague, the 2020 NUDC featured students from 112 institutions throughout the nation. Leonardo and Feli’s victory doesn’t only mark Untan’s first time bringing home the prestigious trophy, but also proudly triumphs as the very first institutions outside of Java to win the annual competition after 37 years since 1987 hence creating a new breakthrough record in NUDC. It depicts how debate has, once again, become more proliferated throughout the archipelago.
The tournament followed a British Parliamentary style format in which each virtual chamber consists of 4 respectable teams. In the NUDC 2020 final round, the grand finalists argued over the motion of “In a post-COVID Indonesia, THW prioritize revitalizing rural growth (real sector and agricultural resilience) over urban/office employments” with Untan Team as Closing Government.
The duo will then represent Indonesia in the World University Debating Championship (WUDC) 2021 in Seoul, South Korea. “We do hope that everyone may support and give their best prayers so we will hopefully excel the next year WUDC in Seoul,” added Leonardo.
Leo and Feli, as what they are called, are active contributors to the International Affairs Office. They write articles to the website of Universitas Tanjungpura. “I’m also thankful to IAO that gives me a platform to make an article, learning pivotal skills such as critical writing, and structuring articles, which is helpful in building arguments in debating”, added Leo after being received by the Rector. Other than the champion debaters, one of the coaches, Adityo, is one of the staff at the International Affairs Office.
Written by Cristine Claudia
