Inter-School Debating Competition
“For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate.”
– Margaret Hefferman
The ‘Techno-Vision’ – Inter-school Debating Competition organized by Team Vanguards for Rota Tomorrow 4.0, showcased the power of public relations and debate in fostering innovation and critical thinking among students. This competition brought together eight most prestigious schools in and around Colombo.
The competition kicked off with the first round held over two days, virtually via Zoom. The teams engaged in thought-provoking arguments over the pressing question of whether Sri Lanka’s legal system is ready to prevent the adverse effects of new technological innovations. Each team brought its unique perspective as the students eloquently argued their points, drawing from legal frameworks, ethical practices and real-world examples.
The stakes escalated as the competition moved to the semi-finals and final round. The teams that advanced to the semi-final round were, Nalanda College, Visakha Vidyalaya, Thurstan College and Sirimavo Bandaranaike Vidyalaya.
The Semi-final and Final rounds happened on the same day on 15th of March 2024, at the Faculty of Computing and Technology, University of Kelaniya. The teams that faced-off in the final round were Thurstan College and Nalanda College. Along with the presence of a panel of experienced judges, the final debate was nothing short of a battlefield. Arguments flew like arrows, backed by a lot of research and eloquence. The audience were captivated by the clash of ideas. After an intense battle, Thurstan College emerged champions as per the verdict of the judges. Nalanda College, though narrowly missing the top spot, stood tall as the First Runners-up in the Final Round.
This project is believed to have aligned well with the theme of “Promoting Innovative Technology for Public Relations”. It not only promoted critical thinking and public speaking skills but also highlighted the role of technology in shaping public relations. By engaging with contemporary issues through debate, students gained valuable insights into creating a technologically-resilient future.
As a final note, it is worth noting that this project wouldn’t have been successful without the unwavering support of the Organizing Committee members, who gave their fullest contribution in all activities of the project.
