The 2023 FLTRP English Debate Open (Greater Bay Area), which was also the Second Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Universities Debating Championship, attracted 160 debaters in 80 teams from renowned universities such as Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Tongji University, and Beijing Normal University. After several rounds of competition, the University of Macau (UM) English Debating Team won the championship and a number of awards.

Members of the UM English Debating Team joined the competition in four teams, with one team competing in the university division and three teams in the open division. The team in the university division reached the semifinals. The other three teams in the open division also advanced to the semifinals and one of them reached the finals. A team formed by Zhu Shuairong, a second-year student from Cheng Yu Tung College and the Faculty of Business Administration, and Zhang Kai, a first-year student from Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College and the Faculty of Social Sciences, won the championship in the open division finals and received a wildcard entry to the finals of the 25th ‘FLTRP · ETIC CUP’ National English Debating Competition. Zhu and Zhang were named the first overall best speaker and the best speaker in the university division, respectively.

In addition, a team formed by Lau Pak Fai, a second-year student from the Honours College, Lui Che Woo College, and the Faculty of Business Administration, and Pang Lam, a second-year student from the Honours College, Moon Chun Memorial College, and the Faculty of Education, won a first prize in the open division, and the two members were named the first overall best speaker and the second overall best speaker in the open division, respectively. A team formed by Chao Kai Chon, a second-year student from the Honours College, Cheng Yu Tung College, and the Faculty of Education, and Cheang Chi Ian, a second-year student from the Honours College, Chao Kuang Piu College, and the Faculty of Business Administration, also won a first prize in the open division. Lastly, a team formed by Cheong Chi I, a first-year student from Choi Kai Yau College and the Faculty of Science and Technology, and Cheong Ian Tong, a first-year student from the Honours College, Cheng Yu Tung College, and the Faculty of Business Administration, won a second prize in the university division.

English debating competitions call for debaters to offer forward-looking insights and exhibit a commanding presence during debates. The UM English Debating Team is committed to developing students’ critical thinking and presentation skills. The team’s recent defence of their championship in the 2023 FLTRP English Debate Open (Greater Bay Area), a nationally recognised English debating competition jointly held by UM and the organising committee of the ‘FLTRP · ETIC Cup’ National English Debating Competition, showcases the strong capabilities of its members. This achievement also highlights UM’s contributions to the development of English debating in the Greater Bay Area.

Source: Student Affairs Office
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