IIUM Committed To Produce World-Class Debaters, Encourage Critical Thinking

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 1 (Bernama) -- Having people capable of thinking critically and creatively is important in the development of a country and this capability should be further developed at university level, according to International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) president Dr Rais Yatim. He said one of the methods to encourage critical and creative thinking was through the formation of a debate club at university level, which would not only help in scouting new talents in public speaking, but also in leadership, among the university students. "Among the factors to become a good leader is to have a great public speaking skill. "A debater's skill in discussing contemporary issues and finding a solution to a problem is a process of critical thinking which must be nurtured in a bid to produce excellent individuals." He said this to reporters Monday after attending a special ceremony held in honour of the IIUM debaters who had emerged champions of several debating championship this year. At the ceremony, Rais also presented the cash reward to the IIUM debaters who emerged champions of the Asian British Parliamentary Debating Championship in Jakarta, recently. The four IIUM debaters were Mubarrat Wassey, Ameera Natasha Moore, Ahmad Syarifuddin Ahmad Fakhari and Sara Abdul Rahim. Rais said the setting up of the IIUM World Debate and Oratory Centre (IWON) in 2013 had managed to help produce more talented and world-class debaters. He said IWON was not only served as a training arena for public speaking, but had also helped many students to obtain communication skills. "With this success, we have managed to show the world that IIUM debaters are capable of competing with those from world-renowned universities," he added. -- BERNAMA