Chennai: Two teams battled it out in a debate held on Friday at the British Council in Anna Salai on the topic, ‘Is there a gap between academic achievements and career prospects?’ The team from Madras Christian College had Aparna Gopan and Ewan Nikhil, who were declared the winners, and will go to the finals to be held in November in New Delhi.
They were pitted against the Satyabhama College team, comprising Zeeshan Ahmed and Shekhar Pathak. Each contestant got three minutes within which to put forth arguments.
The jury consisted of K. Saraswathi, secretary general of the Madras Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Prof Gladston Xavier, head of the department of social work, Loyola College, and V.S. Kumar, financial expert.
While Shekhar and Zeeshan drew on various fundamental issues, including the reservation system, unhealthy examination system and absence of opportunity, Aparna and Ewan said many universities were making innovations in curriculum.
Prof Gladston pointed out to the students that when arguing, one should use facts, “But when you are not sure of the facts, state them in a convincing manner.”
The winning team in Delhi will be able to go to the UK for a week on a cultural tour. Meikwei Barker, director, British Council, South India, said, “The idea of the event was to encourage and celebrate debating among students.”
