What we're all about


Welcome home! We're glad you made it!

Many of you have experience with public speaking: giving formal or informal presentations in classes, teaching in schools, or maybe even participating in a speaking competition. Debate will let you use and develop those skills, but it will also help you to develop other skills--close reading, interpretation, critical reasoning, argumentation, rhetorical invention--and all in front of a live audience!

"This house believes" that debate will be an exciting and enriching addition to your university experience. So sign on, jump in, "reach higher," and Speak Up!

Friday, March 6, 2009

We Have Winners!

Results of the inaugural debates are in!

Let's begin with some congratulations and recognitions:

First, we are very pleased to report that all of the teams performed admirably: despite some initial difficulties with scheduling and preparation, we were able to move ahead with the three debates as scheduled. They are all winners, and we are very proud of them for their courage and commitment.

Second, thanks ever so much to our dedicated faculty advisors: in the batter's box this month were Dr. Said, Dr. Rachel, Dr. Sally, Dr. Dawn, and Mr. Tim. They were a great help to the squads, and in turn the squads were a great help to the teams they chose to represent them. It was a wonderful night of stirring, energetic, and intelligent debate. 

Third, thanks to Saba and Mai for "speaking up" and volunteering to moderate and keep the debates on schedule. They were both wonderful, and helped make the evening a delightful affair for all.

Fourth, thanks also to the Dean and our partners at Gulf News and in the Women's Day organizing committee: Barb Struthers, Basil Muir, and, of course, the unsinkable Monique Holtzhausen. Well done, all!

Last, but certainly not least, the debates were judged by three leading lights in UAE Society--all accomplished women, and all very gracious for agreeing to join us: Ms. Maysam Ali of Gulf News--Notes, Ms. Aida Al Busaidy of dubaigroup/Dubai One, and Dr. Maryam Bayshak of our very own CHSS: fitting that as assistant dean of student success she was there to help us celebrate the successes of our debate society members.

Winners, in order of debate:

Debate 1: Squad 2, represented by Fadwa Baraba, Shaikha Naqbi, and Haya Tenaiji 

Debate 2: Squad 3, represented by Aamna Mazrooei, Maryam Al Shamsi, and Ehsan Al Maamari

Debate 3: Squad 5, represented by Haifa Hydrose, Fatima Deria, and Ruaa Abdulla

Best Overall Team for the March 4 debates: Squad 5

Congratulations to all of you for a very fine and very successful first evening of debate! We look forward to more next month!

Pictures to follow: for now look here and here for coverage in Gulf News. We're famous!

2 comments:

  1. Thank you very much Dr. Penny for those lovely words. It is indeed that through team work and dedication, we were able to put up a night like this one.
    It has been a wonderful experience working with students from the Humanities college and we look forward to your help and support

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for the Oscar speech, Saba :)

    Heard the debate was a great hit, wish I could've attended it. No one took a video? I want to see Hydrose :)

    ReplyDelete