The Governor of West Java Trophy in the Padjadjaran Debate Championship (PDC) 2016 has been won by the teams from Parahyangan English Debate Society (PEDS) of Parahyangan Catholic University (Unpar). This national level debate competition held from October 29 to 31, 2016 was joined by various universities in Indonesia, namely: UI, ITB, UGM, UPI, IPB, Atma Jaya, BINUS, and others.
To this year’s PDC, PEDS sent 8 representatives divided into 4 teams. 2 teams represented by Jeanne Sanjaya (International Relations) and Revian Wirabuana (Architecture), managed to reach the preliminary rounds. In the fourth incarnation of PDC, it applied the British Parliamentary system in the English debate with 5 preliminary rounds, the quarter final, semi-final, and Final.
“our biggest rivals were from UGM and BINUS who both made the final round” according to the chairman of PEDS named Jeanne when interviewed by the Unpar Publication section team. She added that such an English debate event has been positively beneficial to her for receiving a scholarship as well as other prizes.
On the other hand, Revian said that most people think that the English debate is only for students of social sciences while actually, he as an Engineering student has also felt the benefit.
“Especially during our final exam, the undergraduate thesis presentation, I really felt the importance of improving the ability to express opinions, arrange words, and become critical, which in the end will help you everywhere” Revian enthusiastically added.
“At that time, my English was merely passive. I could only read basic English. But when faced with spontaneous debate, I had difficulty. But due to constant practice, I became skilled at debating. Because I’m skillful, I became enchanted with it. It is definitely difficult to start. You have to be willing to fail first,” expressed Revian who has been participating in English debates since high school.
Revian also shared the PEDS Unpar training method, which involves sharing that is to say sharing knowledge and feed-back among PEDS members. He thinks that debating itself belongs to public speaking. He realized the importance of external input to improve his ability.
PEDS is one of the Student Activity Units (UKM) with high achievements especially in the English debating field. Established in 1997, PEDS offers a multitude of activities such as debate practice related to domestic, social, scientific issues as well as the international scope. In addition, there are discussions and learning related to public speaking. Through those activities, Unpar students are invited to learn and improve their critical thinking ability as well as logical argumentation.
“Everyone has different talents. I believe that I am at this level due to my diligence and my strong intention to do it. So, when you are passionate about a certain field, continue to dwell in it because in the end it will be fruitful” expressed Jeanne when she was sharing her experience.
“do not just evaluate success from the first or second failure, but from what we learn and our progress from every trial. Everyone should focus on that. How far have you gone from the beginning until the end. That is the measure and development of success” both advised unparians, when closing the short interview with the publication section.
