Debate on Money and Happiness

More than 250 staff and students of the University of the South Pacific turned up for the Faculty of Business and Economics (FBE) inter-schools debate series at the Laucala Campus on 20 May, 2011.

This was the second debate in a series of six, which was between the School of Accounting and Financial Management (SOAF), and the School of Management and Public Administration (SMPA) on the topic, ‘Can Money Buy Happiness?’

After a closely contested and lively discussion of the issue between the two schools, the three-member debate team of SMPA prevailed as the winner.

The panel of judges included the Head of School, Tourism and Hospitality Management, Professor David Harrison, Associate Dean (Learning and Teaching), Dr Kesaia Seniloli, and Mr Barrie Sweetman, a local Attorney. Mr Richard Naidu of Munro Leys Law acted as the moderator.

The Dean of FBE, Professor Biman Chand Prasad said that, “the debate was most enjoyable for those who attended and we all learnt much from our debaters about happiness and money.”

He thanked the moderator and the judges for making the debate an excellent opportunity for FBE students to demonstrate their talents and skills.

The winning SMPA debate team was made up of Ms Jewel Toloa, the team leader, Ms Melisa Singh and Ms Salaseini Kubuabola and these members were coached by Dr Drew Allbritten, while the SOAF team had Ms Arishma Singh as team leader, Mr Ronal Chand and Mr Nitin Prasad, and were coached by Mr Glen Finau.

The two best debaters as determined by the judges were Ms Jewel Toloa of SMPA and Ms Arishma Singh of SOAF.

In the first debate of the series, the School of Economics defeated the School of Tourism and Hospitality Management. The next debate is scheduled for Semester II.

(Source: USP Website accessed 31st May, 2011)

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