Jakarta, August 4, 2025 – An atmosphere of intellectual fervor marked the National English Debate Competition, held online by the Universitas Terbuka (UT) Postgraduate Program from August 1 to August 4, 2025. This competition was part of the National Scientific Discussion, Sports, and Arts Week (DISPORSENINAS) 2025 series, celebrating UT’s 41st Dies Natalis.
Using the British Parliamentary (BP) format, the debate competition included students from various universities across Indonesia, including all regional UT offices. The online format, conducted via Zoom, underscored UT’s core values of inclusivity, unlimited access, and equitable learning opportunities as a pioneer in open and distance higher education in Indonesia.
Over the course of four full days, participants navigated challenging preliminary rounds that tested their critical thinking, logical argumentation, and ability to respond quickly and strategically. Eight top teams advanced to the semifinals, leading to a final round that pitted participants from UT against those from other renowned Indonesian universities.
The debate topics addressed current issues in politics, education, mental health, gender equality, and sports. Participants were challenged to build arguments for both the government and opposition sides, enriching their perspectives and fostering a multidimensional mindset.
“This competition is not just a battle of arguments, but a learning space to sharpen rhetoric, logical thinking, and the responsible expression of opinions. It is a celebration of common sense, academic spirit, and a culture of dialogue,” said one of the main judges at the closing session. “We appreciate the dedication of all participants who have made this event not just a competition, but a celebration of common sense and academic spirit,” he added.
The final round brought together four of the best teams from UT and other top universities in an exhilarating exchange of arguments. The finalists delivered powerful presentations, well-developed logic, and measured debate strategies, showcasing a commendable level of national-level debating quality.
Alignment with SDGs and Future Vision
The event aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), by encouraging young people to actively participate in a healthy, participatory, and critically-reasoned debate culture. This effort is aimed at building a society that is inclusive, just, and empowered with strong critical thinking skills.
Through this event, Universitas Terbuka reaffirmed its commitment to shaping graduates who are adaptive, reflective, and globally competitive. UT students not only excel academically through a flexible distance learning system but also actively participate in national competitions that build leadership character and strategic reasoning.
The finalists and participants took home more than just awards. They gained enriching intellectual experiences, new networks across different campuses, and the motivation to continue advancing a culture of critical and constructive discussion—a spirit that aligns with UT’s vision as an “Impactful Campus” for a smarter and more democratic Indonesia.
