The 18th UM Mandarin Debating Contest Was Held Successfully

Organized by the Student Affairs Office of the University of Macau and the Macau University Mandarin Debating Team, with technical support from the Macao Speech & Debate League, the final round of the competition was held on March 17th at the Wu Yee Sun Library Lecture Hall of the University of Macau. The champions of the competition included Zhang Yu Peng from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Cheong Kun Lun College; Luo Huang Yin from the Faculty of Education and the Moon Chun Memorial College; Zhang Tao Ran from the Faculty of Law and the Shiu Pong College; and Zhang Yu Xin from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Moon Chun Memorial College. Chen Hong Xi from the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College was awarded “Best-Debater”; and Yu Xiao Kun, a postgraduate student from the Faculty of Social Sciences, was awarded “Best Newbie”.

The semi-final debate topic was “Should carbonated drinks be banned in secondary school campuses?” The proposition team, named “花兒與少年隊,” and the opposition team, named “接質只說對對隊,” engaged in a fierce battle. In the end, “接質只說對對隊” defeated their opponents with a score of 11 to 4, securing the third place. The team members included Xie Yi Rui from the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College; Chen Hong Xi from the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Henry Fok Pearl Jubilee College; He Zi Qi from the Faculty of Social Sciences and the Choi Kai Yau College; Wu Tong from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Moon Chun Memorial College; and Zhu Zi Qing from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities and the Lui Che Woo College.

In the championship debate, the team “無名之隊” faced off against the team 新的一年發大財隊” The debate revolved around the topic “Generative AI chat systems in educational development outweigh the drawbacks/ The drawbacks outweigh the benefits.” The debate was intense and exciting, and in the end, “無名之隊” emerged victorious with a score of 8 to 7, claiming the championship. “新的一年發大財隊” took the second place, with team members Zhang Fan from the Institute of Chinese Medical Sciences; Wei Dan Yue from the Faculty of Business Administration and the Ma Man Kei and Lo Pak Sam College; Ji Wan Ting, a postgraduate student from the Faculty of Education, He Jia Qi from the Faculty of Business Administration and the Shiu Pong College; and Lou Shu Hao from the Faculty of Business Administration and the Choi Kai Yau College.

The competition was honored to have Professor Yin De Gang, a professor from the Department of Communication of the University of Macau and the head coach of the Mandarin Debating Team of UM; Mr. Tang Nai Dong, a senior current affairs commentator; Mr. Hu Kai Qi, a coach of the Mandarin Debating Team of UM; Ms. Luo Le, Vice Chairperson of the Chinese Debate Association, and Mr. Pu Meng Lu, President of the Macao Speech and Debate Association, as judges.

The UM Mandarin Debating Contest of the past month has not only provided valuable training and improvement for the participating students but also allowed students who love debating on campus to experience the joy and beauty of debating. Their outstanding eloquence and efforts have not only won them awards and valuable experience but have also promoted the development and exchange of Mandarin Debating on campus. We sincerely thank all the students who participated in the contest for presenting us with such a splendid event. We look forward to witnessing more outstanding performances next year!