Oxbridge and KTJ Debate Forum

The Oxbridge debate forum is an annual event where students work to deliver incredible debates and are helped by designated Oxbridge mentors. This year’s theme was centred around the argument of ‘Individualism vs. Collectivism’ and took place on Zoom over the course of a week. While the impromptu debates and mix-and-match teams were missed, the addition of a second debate was welcomed with great enthusiasm. 164 debaters took part from 17 different schools and over 60 hours of mentoring and debating was conducted in total. The student’s debates were judged by a panel of three judges who were all alumni of the International Islamic University of Malaysia. 

The event began with a plenary debate where all participants intently listened to four talented Oxbridge alumni argue in favour of individualism and in turn managed to sway the support of much of the audience. With the bar set astronomically high, all teams set off to prepare for their own debates on the next weekend. On the following Saturday, teams attended a session with their Oxbridge mentor and spent a good hour discussing their two topics in detail. Now feeling more prepared, teams began to prepare their own speeches and scoured the internet for research, statistics and facts that could help to support their stance. 

Participants woke the next morning and excitedly got ready to give their speeches. All teams delivered incredible speeches but especially those representing KTJ. Once the debate had concluded, the judges deliberated and soon after awards and feedback were given out by the esteemed judges. Though it was quite a change from previous years, the event was definitely one to remember. 

- Written by Amalina Saifulmazli