On 14 May 2024 at 12 PM Notre Dame University Bangladesh Debating Club organized a program titled “Debate Fest 2024” at the auditorium of the campus.
At the event, the Chief Guest was a public speaker, actress, lawyer, and social worker as well as a successful entrepreneur none other than Jannatul Ferdous Peya. Besides that, the university Pro-Vice Chancellor Dr. Father Charles B. Gordon, CSC, Treasurer Dr. Father Adam S. Pereira, CSC, Registrar Dr. Father Leonard Shankar Rozario, CSC, Club Co-ordinator Sister Shagorica Maria Gomes as well as other administrative officers, teachers, staff and students were also present as guests.
At the beginning of the program, all the guests were received with floral greetings. In the welcoming speech the Pro-Vice Chancellor, Dr. Father Charles B. Gordon, CSC, discussed about the freedom of speech. After that Treasurer, Dr. Father Adam S. Pereira, CSC said that the origin of Debate across Bangladesh started from Notre Dame College. From the hands of the 6th Principal of Notre Dame College’s Father Richard W. Tim, CSC, the cornerstone of debate competition in Bangladesh had started. Its continuity still continues today and across the country. The Debate Competition was started with the aim that the students can gain critical knowledge and analyze a particular subject.
Registrar, Dr. Father Leonard Shankar Rozario, CSC said, the first speciality of a debater is his communication ability. A debater cannot succeed without this skill. After that, Tama Chowdhury Tuli, Zihad Al Mehedi, and Chandrika Mondol participated in the “Baroyari Debate”. After that students from four departments of the university took part in the “Rommo Bitorko” titled “নটর ডেমে আমরাই সেরা/We are the best at Notre Dame”
The main attraction of the event was the exclusive interview of the invited chief guest Jannatul Ferdous Peya. In the interview session, she instructed the students on how to build themselves. She said every law student has the dream to study Bar-at-law. But after completing this study many people suffer from disappointment due to lack of success. Because the study to become a Barrister is very expensive. That’s why she suggested to first becoming capable and then going for the study of Bar-at-law at their own expense. Apart from that in the interview she also shared multiple experiences from her personal life.
The guests later on handed certificates to the members of the third Executive Committee of the Notre Dame University Bangladesh Debating Club for their extensive contributions. In the end, the Club Moderator thanked everyone and concluded the event.
It is to be noted that, Notre Dame University Bangladesh Debating Club organizes various Debate Competitions every year. Among these Intra-University Debate, Rommo Debate, Baroyari Debate, and Parliamentary Debate are notable.
