Under the Kampus Merdeka concept, higher education aims to produce a workforce and develop future intellectuals capable of clear, critical, and fundamental thinking for various fields of study. It also seeks to create an environment that encourages students to Think Clearly, Think Critically, Think Fundamentally, Contribute to Knowledge Development, Understand Social and Cultural Contexts, Become Leaders and Thinkers in Society, and Engage in Lifelong Learning.
Higher education institutions should significantly contribute to society, with students constantly developing their potential. The freedom for students to learn is essential to improving the quality of higher education. Students who are free to learn are expected to present their skills and make a tangible impact on society. Student activities play a crucial role in realizing the vision of Kampus Merdeka. Therefore, nurturing student activities is directed toward developing students’ potential to become people of faith and religion with noble character, knowledge, skills, competence, and culture. One way to nurture this is through debate competitions, exemplified by the National University Debating Championship (NUDC).
The NUDC 2024 brings together 112 top teams from public and private universities across Indonesia. Using a parliamentary debate format, NUDC challenges students to express their ideas in English while covering global knowledge, analysis, judgment, and persuasion. Students face real issues affecting society or nations in debates and must convincingly argue their positions. Hence, debates are an excellent medium for drilling negotiation and argumentation skills in international scale. Indonesian educational institutions should promote student debate competitions to foster a positive competitive spirit that demands communication and argumentation skills.
This year is particularly remarkable for Universitas Terbuka (UT). In 2024, UT is honored to host the NUDC 2024, held from May 26 to June 2, 2024, at Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC). The acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Social and Political Sciences (FHISIP) at UT and Chair of the NUDC 2024 Committee, Rahmat Budiman, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D., expressed, “This year’s NUDC is special. It is a bright year for UT as the host of NUDC 2024, held in-person from May 26 to June 1, 2024, at UTCC.” The English debate competition provides a platform for students from various universities in Indonesia to showcase their critical thinking, character, intelligence, skills, emotional control, discipline, sportsmanship, democracy, unity, and responsibility. This aligns with the national education function of developing abilities and shaping a dignified civilization to enrich the life of the nation and develop the student’s potential to be faithful, religious, insightful, independent, democratic, and noble characters.
The NUDC 2024 opening ceremony was held on Monday, May 27, 2024, at the Universitas Terbuka Convention Center (UTCC), Universitas Terbuka Central Office, South Tangerang. The event began with an opening by the MCs, Muhammad Bijaksabara Hikmawan, S.IP., and Ayubi Cakradiwati, S.Hum., M.Ed., followed by the Ratoh Jaroe dance performed by SMA Dharma Karya UT. This was followed by a report presentation from the NUDC 2024 Committee Chair, Rahmat Budiman, S.S., M.Hum., Ph.D., also the Acting Dean of FHISIP at UT. In his report, he expressed his pride that UT was entrusted to host the NUDC 2024. He also mentioned that the theme for NUDC 2024 is “Merdeka Berprestasi Talenta Debat Menginspirasi” (Independent to Achieve, Inspiring Debate Talent).
The mascot for NUDC 2024, GUTSY (Garuda Universitas Terbuka Shaping You), was also introduced. Garuda symbolizes national pride and embodies virtues, knowledge, strength, courage, loyalty, and discipline. He hopes students will uphold these values.
Following the report presentation, Dr. Maria Veronica Irene Herdjiono, M.Si., the Head of the National Achievement Center (Puspresnas), delivered her remarks. She expressed her highest appreciation to UT, the universities, the students, and all parties involved in supporting the NUDC. “In the 21st century, we must always sharpen the skills needed today, such as critical thinking, effective communication, public speaking, writing, and research. These skills can be polished through participating in NUDC,” she said. She hopes that through NUDC, students can develop themselves, collaborate, and network with other students across Indonesia, opening future opportunities.
The event continued with a speech from Prof. Dr. Ir. Sri Suning Kusumawardani, S.T., M.T., the Director of Learning and Student Affairs (Direktorat Pembelajaran dan Kemahasiswaan – Belmawa) at the Directorate General of Higher Education, delivered virtually. She congratulated and highly appreciated the students who reached this stage. She also thanked UT and its entire team for their support and cooperation in making NUDC possible. “Whatever the outcome, you are all winners because you are the resilient talents ready to compete here,” she said.
