Mahidol University International College’s (MUIC) Debate Club hosted an in-house debate tournament, bringing the intensity and excitement of competition onto home ground.
Held on June 27, 2025 at Aditayathorn Building, the tournament featured teams composed entirely of MUIC students, offering them the chance to sharpen their skills in a familiar yet challenging environment. The event drew a diverse set of participants from across majors, from International Relations to those from the Science Division, reflecting MUIC’s interdisciplinary spirit.
In a creative homebrew format, the Debate Showcase incorporated a blend of Asian Parliamentary (AP) and British Parliamentary (BP) styles where debaters competed in a 2v2 setting combining the focused teamwork of AP with the argumentative dynamics of BP.
The competition was split into Gold and Silver brackets, allowing teams to vie for top placements within their skill levels. A total of four teams participated in this competition, with most of the members being complete novices to debating outside of classes. Despite this, the teams were incredibly adaptable and showed fortitude toward challenging motions.
The topics ranged from wildly abstract philosophical notions to contemporary political controversies.
After an invigorating showdown in the Gold Bracket, a novice team consisting of Dilmehr Kaur and Tanistha Pant clinched the championship title after a tense spar with Debate Club member Sinutcha Bealiam. Additionally, Tanistha Pant earned the Best Speaker Award for demonstrating composed deliveries throughout the tournament. The Silver Bracket featured equally compelling performances, with Yohan Balsara and Saw Moe Thauk Lynn’s team securing the win against a tough opponent — the novice yet fierce team of Leelavadee Goble and Watanyu Wongwuttikai.
All teams demonstrated impressive capabilities, leaving the in-house judges thoroughly impressed by the level of skill and potential on display.
“The Debate Club wants to expand our reach in the debate circuit, but also within the MUIC circle as well. This tournament is a great way to do that,” said Shanjit Chitphentom, President of the Debate Club. The Debate Showcase serves to establish the accessibility of debating for students, especially within MUIC, by creating a space where both newcomers and experienced members can engage and grow.
