Georgetown Qatar’s Debate Union hosted 16 students from New York University Abu Dhabi for the inaugural friendly tournament between the two universities on Nov. 1 and 2. The first day consisted of workshops, an Education City Tour, and an off-campus dinner at West Bay. The first workshop, which was hosted by GU-Q and GDU’s alumni, Pragyan Acharya, was about advanced debating British Parliamentary style. The second workshop, facilitated by NYU-AD, focused on developing skills through quick debates.
NYU-AD Student Interviews
NYU-AD student, Fabia, graciously offered her thoughts in an interview with the Georgetown Gazette. Her favorite parts of the tournament included our spacious and sophisticated campus and the welcoming energy of the GU-Q debaters who received her and her school. She also made note of the excellent catering offered throughout the tournament. According to Fabia, the debate scene in NYU-AD sees more regular activity than that of GU-Q, much thanks to their far larger student body. Our entire student body makes up just one batch in NYU-AD, after all. The debaters here nonetheless put up an excellent challenge and showed great skill.
The follow up interview was a great insight that allowed Georgetown students to get to know NYU-AD students on a more personal level. After all, the ultimate goal was to create meaningful connections that allow competition, learning, and relating. Joshua, who is majoring in Philosophy, had informed us that his first debating experience started out of curiosity in his senior year; his friends’ engagement in the Falcon Debate Union encouraged him to take part in it. Yet, he found himself completely immersed and passionate about this student interest group since it allowed him to compete at an international level multiple times. He particularly found the GU-Q vs. NYU-AD debate competition enriching. In the sense that both campuses shared similar values as they both encouraged their students to realize their full potential. Nonetheless, the competition was fully student run which made everyone stressed yet excited.
Harsh Kapoor, a sophomore majoring in Business and Economics, found himself particularly in love with the experience as his interest focused on discovering what American universities in the Middle East offer to the world. His first debating experience was at a national debate competition in India, along with his peers, which allowed him to strengthen his debating skills to a greater audience, ultimately allowing him to learn new techniques, create strong intellectual connections, and make the most out of the experience. His favorite part about Georgetown Qatar was the architectural marvel of the library. From the three floor layout to the displayed collection of books for the public, he felt attracted to dedicate himself academically there.
Alexa Bossonova, also a sophomore who is majoring in Legal Studies and Political Science, believes that the practical skills that she developed in her studies immensely helped her develop a strong interest in debating. Her motivation to take part in this competition came from a place of passion and curiosity as she strongly felt like enlarging her debating experience, exploring the country, and meeting new people. She also felt like it was a highly similar experience as both sided competitors shared the same British Parliamentary style, which she believes to be a skill she uses on a daily basis whenever she is making an argument.
Another student, Adriana Romera, felt the tournament experience was great and broadened her mind. She described Doha as a beautiful city, finding it similar to Abu Dhabi, and if given the opportunity would visit again. She remarked that her favorite part of the debate weekend was the community, as everyone was nice, and getting different perspectives as well as talking to people was fun.
Social Justice and Academia Go Head to Head!
The second day consisted of three rounds of debating, rounding off the fiery debate week to a grand finale at the stage of GU-Q’s auditorium with an audience of GU-Q and NYU-AD students. Each team was made up of the top four teams of the evening, with the government side comprised of Sparsh Adhikari, Raed Asad, Jasser Safi, and Lana Ljeskovic, and the opposition of Farhan Khan, Črt Čučko, Gokalp Elmas, and Abdrakhman Serikkali. They debated against each other on the motion, “This house opposes the academization of social justice movements.”
Although there were no official winners for the final round, the audience was instead asked to clap for the team they felt did the best. After the round, students from GU-Q and NYU-AD voiced their desire for another tournament between the universities.
Planning for this event started in the summer, GDU External Relations Manager Ayah Ahmed stated. Their vision was to connect with international students in the MENA region and to have not just a competition, but also collaboration.
While reflecting on the tournament, GDU Community Organizer Noon Elsharif desires to thank several people: Pragyan Acharya for helping with organization, from motions to the workshop, Ayah Ahmed and Mamie McCreary for contributing to the tournament, Dr. John Wright for encouraging them to aim for more and not settle for less, the volunteers, judges from Qatar University and Qatar Debates, and Anna Lipiecthe president of the NYU Union.
Pictures taken by: Radiyah Ahmed
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