Media Release
Jun 25 2010
UniSA sponsors school debating competition
The
University of South Australia has
signed on as the main supporter of the
South Australian Debating
Association’s Schools Competition for the next three years
(2010-2012).
The long-running competition involves approximately 1000 students from
30 South Australian schools, providing students from Year 7 through to
Year 12 with a challenging and rewarding extra-curricular activity.
UniSA Vice Chancellor
Professor Peter Høj says UniSA is proud to partner the South
Australian Debating Association (SADA) in helping to bring debating
competitions to schools.
“Debating is a valuable activity for students; it improves their public
speaking, self-confidence, and research and analytical skills,” Prof Høj
says.
“These attributes will stand students in good stead as they move into
further education and professional careers.
“I wish all the students and schools participating in the 2010
competition the very best of luck and thank SADA, adjudicators, teachers
and parents for their contributions to this valuable activity.”
With a strong tradition of school debating a part of many lawyers’
backgrounds, UniSA Foundation Dean of Law
Professor Paul Fairall says he is delighted that a number of
debating finals will be held at UniSA’s Moot Court at
City West Campus.
“Moot Court provides an excellent teaching space for our law students to
participate in the art of advocacy in a court-like setting and I’m sure
it will be a great facility for the debating finals,” Prof Fairall says.
“Debating develops important argumentative and persuasion skills. These
skills ultimately help students throughout their lives, especially in
career paths that require this form of activity, such as law, marketing
or politics.”
SADA President Genevieve Lewis says SADA looks forward to a long and
successful partnership with UniSA.
“UniSA supported SADA for the National School’s Debating Championship in
Adelaide last year and we’re extremely pleased this generous support has
been able to expand into our schools competition,” Ms Lewis says.
Seymour College student Charlotte Thomas is excited about the 2010
debating season. Charlotte is currently ranked the third-best speaker in
the world after competing in the Australian team at the 2010 World
Schools Debating Championships in Qatar earlier this year.
“Debating is an opportunity not only to constantly learn about our world
and society, and about the possibilities of argument, but to pursue
something you are genuinely interested in,” Charlotte says.
Media contact
- Heather Leggett office (08) 8302 0096 mobile 0434 078 819 email heather.leggett@unisa.edu.au