UIU debate club emerges runners-up at national debate festival
United International University debate club(UIUDC) emerged as runners-up at the 13th Surja Sen Memorial Debate Festival 2026.
The four-day national debate festival concluded with an award distribution ceremony held on 4 January, 2026 at the University of Dhaka. The festival was organised by Surja Sen Bitorko Dhara of Dhaka University.
Vice Chancellor of the University of Dhaka Professor Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan attended the award ceremony as the chief guest and handed over trophies to the winning teams. Provost of Surja Sen Hall Professor Dr Md Rafiqul Islam and General Secretary of Dhaka University Central Students' Union (DUCSU) S M Farhad were present as special guests.
UIUDC demonstrated strong debating skills throughout the tournament. The team defeated Bangladesh Agricultural University in the semifinal round to secure a place in the final. In the final round, the team from Bijoy Ekattor Hall of the University of Dhaka won the championship title, while United International University finished as runners-up.
The UIUDC team comprised Md Tasnim Hossain, Md Suad Hossain and Ikramul Hashib Arnob. Md Tasnim Hossain also secured the third speaker break at the festival.
A total of 32 teams from leading public and private universities participated in the competition, including Dhaka University, Jahangirnagar University, Jagannath University, Chittagong University, Jatiya Kabi Kazi Nazrul Islam University, Noakhali Science and Technology University, University of Asia Pacific, Stamford University and Bangladesh Agricultural University.
