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WELCOME

Welcome to the official website of the University of Technology, Jamaica National Debating Championship 2011 (UTechNDC2011)!

This is where you will find all official updates and announcements from the Organizing Committee. Feel free to explore this website to garner more details about the championship.

For any comments/questions/suggestions about the championship or any other related issues, feel free to drop us a message at utechndc@gmail.com.

- UTechNDC2011 Organizing Committee

 

THEMES FOR UTECHNDC2011

The selected themes/topics for the UTechNDC2011are as follows:

  • The independence of central banks
  • First past the post vs. proportional representation
  • Benefits/Disadvantages of Corruption
  • National Security vs. Regional Security
  • Youth and Governance
  • Parliamentary Structure: A framework for good/bad governance
Motions for the championship will be based on any of these themes.



PARTICIPATING INSTITUTIONS

  1. Ardenne High School (Sixth Form)
  2. Calabar High School(Sixth Form)
  3. Cornwall College(Sixth Form)
  4. Caribbean Legal Practice Institute
  5. Jamaica College(Sixth Form)
  6. The Mico University College
  7. University of Technology, Jamaica


AWARD CATEGORIES FOR UTECHNDC2011

TROPHY Winning Team
TROPHY 1st Runner Up
TROPHY 2nd Runner Up
TROPHY 3rd Runner Up
PLAQUE Most Outstanding "Non-Traditional" B.P. Debating Team
PLAQUE

Most Outstanding speaker for the Championship

PLAQUE Top Speaker - Beginners Round
PLAQUE Top Speaker - Intermediate Round
SHIELD Perpetual Championship Shield (to be kept by host institution)

 

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FOR UTECHNDC2011

TIME DETAILS
7:30am - 8:45am Registration / Morning Break
8:45am - 9:00am Welcome and Opening
9:00am - 9:25am General Briefing
9:25am - 9:45am Tab Placement & Motion
9:45am - 10:00am

Arrival at Rooms for Round 1 / Adjudicators' Briefing

10:00am - 11:30am Round 1 Debates
11:30am - 12noon Collection & Analysis of Results / Snack & Water Break
12:00pm - 12:15pm Announcement of Teams Advancing, Tab Placement & Motion
12:15pm - 12:30pm Arrival at Room for Round 2 / Adjudicators' Briefing
12:30pm - 2:00pm Round 2 Debates (SEMI-FINALS)
2:00pm - 2:45pm Collection & Analysis of Results / Lunch
2:45pm - 3:00pm Announcement of Teams Advancing, Tab Placement & Motion
3:00pm - 3:15pm Arrival at Room for Round 3 / Adjudicators' Briefing
3:15pm - 4:45pm Round 3 Debates (FINALS)
4:45pm - 5:15pm Entertainment / Adjudicators' Deliberations
5:15pm - 7:00pm Closing Reception
5:15pm - 5:30pm Greetings from the University President
5:30pm - 6:00pm Presentation of Awards
6:00pm - 7:00pm Cocktails

 

THE CONVENOR'S MESSAGE

The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) welcomes all participants to the inaugural staging of the University of Technology, Jamaica National Debating Championship. This championship represents a pioneering effort aimed at engendering a culture of British Parliamentary debating throughout Jamaica and the wider region.

The art of debating is one that engenders critical thinking, effective communication and superior problem solving skills. Effectively therefore, the motive behind this competition is to engage young minds in intellectual discourse aimed at deriving solutions for national, regional and global challenges.

It is indeed fitting that such a noble undertaking is being orchestrated by students and members of staff of Jamaica’s national university. By virtue of the tradition of stalwart successes chronicled in the annals of our own debating and public speaking society, coupled with the renowned machinery that has led to UTech being dubbed ‘the home of world-class athletes’, the Organizing Committee of this debating championship brings a level of unparalleled expertise, assuring participants a most memorable experience. To this end, we look forward to your full involvement in a positively transformational process.

Mrs. Garcia McLennon,
Convenor

 

THE CHAMPIONSHIP DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE

As Championship Director of the Caribbean's first British Parliamentary Style National Debating Championship, I am honoured to be serving as a catalyst for the advancement of a very worthwhile endeavour. Understandably, the success of this initiative is predicated upon the need for potential debaters to develop competence in the execution of this new and invigorating format of debating. We have sought therefore to facilitate this process primarily through several Pre-Championship Workshops which will be administered by some of the world's best experts in this art.

The Organizing Committee for this championship is indeed committed to utilizing a wide range of facilities, inclusive of the aforementioned workshops, a telephone help-line and this website, to ensure that potential debaters and adjudicators are equipped to excel at this championship. Furthermore, the committee aims to make this championship very accessible to participants from a wide cross-section of the Jamaican tertiary landscape, while encouraging the participation of individuals from within the international debating community.

While the UTech National Debating Championship will evoke intense rivalry and spirited competition, its main aim is to serve as a conduit for fruitful intellectual engagement. Through the rigors of debate, we are able to expand our mental horizons and derive solutions for numerous societal challenges. To this end I implored you to come on board as together we chart a course for a better world!

Mrs. Mercedes Deane,
Championship Director