Qatar University (QU) launched its upcoming Arabic debating championship at a press conference held on February 28.
Details of the championship (March 2-6) were outlined by QU Student Services and Activities Director Mr Abdulla Al-Yafei, QatarDebate Center Executive Vice President Mr Abdulrahman Al Kubaisi, QatarDebate Center Educational Programs Department Head Ms Aisha Al Nosef, Qatar Youth Hostels Head of Planning Initiative Unit Ms Hanan Al-Shammari, Vodafone Qatar External Affairs Director Mr Mohammed Al-Yami, and QU Arabic Debating Championship Executive President student Ayat Walid Al Saify, in the presence of officials from QU and the partnering institutions, and representatives of the local media.
Organized under the sponsorship of QatarDebate Center, Qatar Youth Hostels, Vodafone Qatar, Al Gharafa printing press, and Mersal Qatar, the championship will draw the participation of 6 teams from Qatar and 19 teams from 5 countries — Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman, Sudan, and Tunisia. The championship aims to spread the art of debate in Arab countries and to foster links between Arab youth. It highlights Qatar’s leading role in spreading the culture of dialog and mutual understanding in the Middle East, as well as QU’s commitment to promote the art of debate at the local and regional levels.
Dr Abdulla Al-Yafei stressed the importance of the QU Arabic Debating Championship as it contributes to spreading the culture of debate and dialog in classical Arabic, and to creating a competitive environment within the university based on a targeted scientific debate. He said: “This championship is a significant catalyst for innovation, critical thinking, research and study. By organizing this championship, Qatar University strives to enrich its learning environment through promoting the exchange of ideas and opinions between the participating Arabic universities, which will contribute to creating a generation of youth who will become future leaders.”
Ms Aisha Al Nosef noted that QatarDebate Center is the strategic partner of Qatar University Arabic Debating Championship. She said: “This championship is a preparatory tournament to train teams to participate in the 4th International Universities Arabic Debating Championship which will be organized by QatarDebate Center in 2019.”
Mr Abdulrahman Al Kubaisi said: “Through organizing debate championships, Qatar University is contributing to shaping a generation of youth who are aware about the importance of the art of debate. Many students from Qatar University, who were trained in the field of debate, supervise and train school students in order to ready them to participate in debates.”
Ms Hanan Al-Shammari noted that the participation of Qatar Youth Hostels in Qatar University Arabic Debating Championship aligns with its mission to promote tourism for youth and showcase Qatar’s history and culture. She also noted that Qatar Youth Hostels has prepared for the championship participants a touristic schedule and visits to Doha’s landmark sites such as Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Arts, Baladna Farm, and Qatar National Library, as well as a tour of the Student Center at Qatar Foundation.
Mr Mohammed Al-Yami said: “As the exclusive communication sponsor of the championship, Vodafone Qatar demonstrates its support to youth potential and dialog, as sought by the country’s wise leadership.”
Ayat Walid Al Saify said: “Qatar University organizes for the first time an Arabic debating championship. The latter gathers teams from various countries to discuss and share their views, which will contribute to spreading a spirit of dialog between cultures.”