CAS emerges victorious in debate competition

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) secured the championship and the Best Debater award in the 77th Founding Anniversary Celebration Debate Competition, Feb. 14, at the AEC Little Theater. 

Ellie Hachaso from CAS delivered an exceptional whip by hitting the essence of protests being not limited in the Philippines but transcending national boundaries, serving as an international form of feedback mechanism. The insightful argument earned the CAS valuable advantage points, leading to their victory in the competition. 

Meanwhile, Atty. Rei Baligod commended Hans Adriel Gabriel of the College of International and Hospitality Management (CIHTM) for his unwavering defense of the opposition, despite facing a disadvantageous situation.  Gabriel's confidence and dedication earned him the Best Speaker award as CIHTM secured second place. 

The College of Education got third place after facing off against the wildcard College of Criminal Justice and Criminology in the fourth round. In the debate, CED reinforced its position in the abolition of the Southeast Asia nuclear weapons-free zone. 

The MSEUF 77th Founding Anniversary Celebration Debate Competition showcased the intellectual prowess and critical thinking skills of the participating departments, highlighting the University's commitment to fostering debate and dialogue among its students. 

A total of seven teams from different the following colleges – Arts and Sciences, International Hospitality and Tourism Management, Education, Criminal Justice and Criminology, Nursing and Allied Health Sciences, Business and Accountancy, and Engineering – competed in the battle of wits and argumentation.

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The event contributes to the following SDGs: 

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions - promoting critical thinking, dialogue, and constructive discourse among students. 
• SDG 4: Quality Education - enhancing communication and reasoning skills through debating.