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 | The Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra with the debaters and their mentors. |
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The University of the South Pacific hosted a special function to celebrate the success of its debating teams at this year’s Europa Shield Inter-University Debate Tournament.
The function was hosted by the Vice-Chancellor and President of USP, Professor Rajesh Chandra on 3 December 2012, at the University’s Laucala campus in Suva.
Speaking to the debaters and their mentors, Professor Chandra said that the outstanding performances of both teams have made the University community very proud.
Both teams met in the final after outclassing teams from the Fiji National University during the tournament, which was held at the Japan-Pacific ICT Multi-Purpose Theatre, in October earlier this year.
“The function organised by my office is to acknowledge the dedication and hard work of the teams and their mentors in winning this prestigious debate tournament,” told the Vice-Chancellor.
The tournament has been won by USP twice over the three consecutive years it has been held. The University’s first win was in 2010, when the tournament started.
Professor Chandra stressed that participating in such activities enable students to explore and attain knowledge beyond what is taught in lectures. He added that this helps students to prepare for the challenging and changing environment that awaits them, once they leave the University.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the team coordinators in preparing the teams for the tournament.
“Your support has led USP in becoming victorious against other university teams and this is a great achievement.”
The Vice-Chancellor presented prizes to the team members as a token of appreciation.
One of the debaters, Jope Tarai, who was also judged the best debater, spoke on behalf of the two teams, thanking the Vice-Chancellor and the staff members who were involved in preparing the students for the tournament.
The Europa Shield debate tournaments are the innovation of the European Union Delegation Office in Suva with support from the French Embassy and the British High Commission.
This year’s winning USP team comprised Jope Tarai, Aashqeen Hasan, Jason Titifanue and Robinshon Chand. The runner-up team members were Mohammed Azim Ishak, Ruveni Gacala and Anishini Chand.
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