The Fiji National University Natabua Campus debate team were crowned winners in the Inter-University Debate Championship, hosted by Dialogue Fiji last week.

The championship is under the Democracy for All: Strengthening Inclusive Governance in Fiji project, funded by the European Union. This brought together students from the FNU, The University of the South Pacific and the University of Fiji.

In a statement, Dialogue Fiji mentioned that the debate competition focused on addressing youth apathy in Fiji by encouraging university students to research, analyse and articulate their views on significant topics related to Fiji’s democracy and human rights.

The statement also highlighted that the FNU secured the championship title with an aggregate score of 355.5 points, edging out USP who scored 353 points, by virtue of having the highest cumulative points across the three debate contests. The University of Fiji was in third place having an aggregate score of 271.5 points.

The teams debated on the topics; Voting Should Be Made Mandatory and Capital Punishment Should Be Reinstated To Decrease Crime Rates. 

FNU debate team captain extraordinaire, Mere Saulo, a third-year Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (English and iTaukei) student said her team’s aim was to represent the FNU in the best possible way.

She has been on the debate team since 2022.

“While winning was a goal, our deeper objective was to demonstrate our capability to tackle difficult topics through well-researched, thoughtful, and persuasive arguments,” she said.

“Throughout the preparation and competition, we placed our trust in God, knowing that His wisdom would lead us through each debate.

“As team captain, being part of this winning team means everything to me, and I thank God for blessing us with this victory.”

Bachelor of Education (Primary) student, Ratu Jese Nabunobuno shared that being part of the winning debate team meant a lot to him.

“It represents hard work, dedication, and the ability to effectively communicate and advocate for important issues,” said Nabunobuno.

“It shows that our collective efforts and collaboration paid off, and it can inspire others at FNU to engage in debates and discussions.”

He said one of his biggest challenges was attending to his ill mother during his preparation for the competition.

Bachelor of Education (Primary) student, Ranya Juanita Lola highlighted that being a first-year student and winning, made her realise the potential she had.

Bachelor of Education (Secondary) (English and iTaukei) student, Atelina Ranadi said she was grateful for the opportunity to represent FNU and learn more on the topics that were debated on.

Assistant Lecturer at the College of Humanities and Education, School of Communication, Language and Literature and voluntary coach for the debate team, Sera Lidise said that to win the FNU Inter-Campus Debate Championship was an extraordinary accomplishment, but to win the Inter-University Debate Championship for 2024 was an outstanding achievement.

“We won the Inter-Campus Debate Championship in 2022, were the runners-up in 2023 and reclaimed the title in 2024,” she said.

“All the cumulative hours that we put in together as a team from 2022 have led to this victory. The team knows that I ask nothing short of perfection from them. The standards that I have set from the get-go has culminated in this moment which has set a benchmark not only for the debate team but for FNU.

“I have seen them grow in stature, maturity and confidence.”

Lidise added that the team’s motto was ‘We are in it to win it’ and win it they did.

“This victory will resonate with the team members for a long time; they will savour it and remember this triumph always,” she added.