The Macau University of Science and Technology’s (MUST) English Debate Team achieved a remarkable victory at the open final of the 2024 Guangdong International Speech and Debate Tournament, held from October 19 to 20 at Shantou University, according to a recent MUST statement.
Organised by the Great Debater Project in collaboration with Shantou University, the competition attracted numerous prestigious teams from institutions such as Peking University (PKU), the University of Macau (UM), City University of Hong Kong (CityU), and Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU), highlighting its significance in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area (GBA).
MUST English Debate Team members told the Post about their victory in an email interview on Friday.
Zhou Yang, one of the four-member team that won the open group championship, explained their collaborative approach during the competition, noting that the competition was held in the format of British Parliamentary (BP) style, with 15 minutes of preparation time for each round for the team to brainstorm and discuss strategies. Another member of the team, Xu Ke, took the lead to open the debate with initial statements, while Zhou focused on rebuttals and reinforcing their position.
The other two team members were Qian Liying and Xu Huaihung.
According to Zhou, the debate topics covered a wide range of issues, including the video game industry, artificial intelligence (AI) and environmental protection. Zhou highlighted a pivotal moment when he pointed out a critical logical flaw in the opposing team’s argument about the investments in China’s video game industry, while Xu Ke successfully addressed another topic regarding poverty, demonstrating that governments should adopt a welfare rather than a self-sufficiency approach to the poverty crisis.
Reflecting on their growth, the team noted significant improvements in their debating skills, particularly in logical reasoning and teamwork. They actively sought feedback from judges after each round, which helped them refine their strategies and maintain composure against strong opposition. The preparation process included extensive practice sessions and case analysis, which contributed to their confidence during the competition.
They underlined that their victory holds special significance for the team, as they not only represented MUST but also showcased Macau’s image on an international stage.
“We want to express gratitude to MUST for their support, as well as our coaches and teammates, and we also particularly thanked our captain Shen Beiyi for his guidance and encouragement throughout the competition. This achievement has bolstered our confidence and motivated us to strive for even greater success in future debates,” the team said.
Macau University of Science and Technology’s (MUST) English Debate Team member Zhou Yang (second from left), Xu Ke (second from right), team captain Shen Beiyi (right) and the person in charge of the 2024 Guangdong International Speech and Debate Tournament pose for a photo on the sidelines of the event at Shantou University on October 20. – Photo: MUST
