DEBATE 2016
On April 13, 2016, the Faculty of Languages and Translation hosted a riveting debate competition, delving into the topic, "Excessive Use of Technology has Paralyzed Humans in Many Ways." The vibrant discourse saw Muhammad Salem Ashahri, Abdur Rahim Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Aweed Al Amari, Mohammad Ali Al-Qahtani, and Abdullah Ali Al-Qahtani arguing in favor of the motion. Their nuanced stance was not anti-technology, rather against its excessive use, a distinction they emphasized throughout the debate.
Countering this perspective were Musab Mohammad Al Shadah, Fahad Mohammad Asiri, Yasser Ali Al-Shahrani, Omer Mohammad Jama, and Khalid Amer Alshehri. They drove home the point that our daily lives are profoundly intertwined with technology, making us nearly helpless without it. The teams volleyed ideas back and forth, creating a thought-provoking and lively discussion.
Despite the victory of the team arguing for the motion, Khalid Amer Alshehri from the opposing team emerged as the best speaker, displaying commendable leadership skills and a captivating rhetoric. The judging panel, comprising Mr. Willem D. Jager and Mr. Mathew Paul, meticulously evaluated each debater's performance, offering a fair and thoughtful decision.
The event featured insightful speeches from esteemed figures such as Dr. Fahad Otaif, who provided constructive feedback on the performances and shared his personal views on technology overuse. Dr. Mutab Al-Qarni, Chairman of the Department of English, further enriched the event with his concluding remarks. He lauded the debaters for their exceptional articulation despite the complex nature of the topic and underscored the role of such activities in enhancing English language proficiency.
Under the astute guidance of Dr. Mohammad Osman, the organizing committee, including Dr. Nurul Islam, Dr. Nisar Ahmed Koka, Mr. Mohammad Adil, Dr. Omer Sultan, Dr. Basim Kanaan, and Mr. Salahuddin Abdul Rab, dedicated over a month to train the debaters. In addition, Mr. Khalid Mater, along with the English Club, facilitated the arrangement of prizes and certificates, further augmenting the competition's allure.
With active participation from all members of the English Club, the debate concluded successfully, leaving behind a trail of engaging discussions, valuable lessons, and a renewed enthusiasm for critical thinking and language skills among the participants and attendees.
