BUETDC Nationals 2023: Celebrating 30 years of enlightened discourse

In a jubilant celebration of three decades of intellectual pursuit and discourse, BUET Debating Club, orchestrated its most grandiose event "AUGMEDIX presents 11th BUETDC Nationals 2023"- a festivity that reverberates with the spirit of the "Renaissance". As the Renaissance cast a modern lens on the wisdom of the Greco-Roman world, so too does BUETDC endeavor to rekindle the splendor of their glorious past. For days spanning from the 14th to the 22nd of July, the festival served as a captivating spectacle, where the echoes of the past and the visions of the future harmoniously converged. Participants and attendees alike were transported to an extraordinary epoch, where the rebirth of art, philosophy, policy, norms and culture had once sparked a flame that still burns within the hearts of humanity.

The first segment of this celebration was the Inter club English British Parliamentary Debate on 14-15 July. In this segment, 40 teams from renowned clubs across the country participated .The opening day saw remarkable performances from various participants, leading to the selection of the top 8 teams from the open category and the top 4 teams from the High School category for the out-rounds. Amidst fierce competition and resolute determination, team BUET-1 showcased unparalleled prowess, emerging as the champion in the open category. This extraordinary achievement garnered widespread applause and pride, as BUET-1 brought home the prestigious trophy. Not to be outdone, the High School category witnessed team NDDC-2 emerging as the champion. Their eloquence and intellectual acumen left a lasting impression on the esteemed panel of judges and attested to the promising future of young minds in the realm of debate.

Spanning from the 21st to the 22nd of July, the second segment "Inter club Bangla British Parliamentary Debate" witnessed an even larger participation of 48 teams, further accentuating the grandeur of the event. The opening day of this segment witnessed a display of brilliance, resulting in the selection of the top 12 teams from the open category and the top four teams from the High School category for the post-break rounds. On post-break, with unwavering determination and intellectual finesse, team GOD-1 ultimately secured the crown of champions. In the High School category, NDS-1 emerged triumphant, earning well-deserved accolades for their remarkable understanding of the topics at hand.

One of the major attractions of BUETDC Nationals was the "ScribeQuest" case solving competition. Participants tackled challenges faced by "AUGMEDIX Bangladesh," a healthcare tech giant. Out of 45 teams, BUET's "Team 11:59," "Team Augmenta," and a BUET-IBA DU collaboration, "Team Augmedix Rizz," emerged as top three teams. This event showcased practical problem-solving skills, bridging academia with industry.

The momentous celebration of "11th BUETDC Nationals 2023" reached its pinnacle with a grand closing ceremony held at the seminar room of BUET auditorium complex on 23rd July. The ceremony served as a fitting tribute to the resounding success of the event, which marked three decades of intellectual excellence. The closing ceremony witnessed the felicitation of the finalists from both the English and Bangla segments, along with the esteemed adjudicators who played a pivotal role in ensuring the fairness and quality of the tournaments. The crowning moment of the evening was the handing over of the champion trophies to the victorious teams in both segments, symbolizing their triumph in the art of debate. Notably, the winners of the "ScribeQuest" case solving competition were also honoured during the ceremony.

In the ceremony, addressing the gathering, Prof. Mizanur Rahman, the current director of the Directorate of Student Welfare (DSW), emphasized the significance of extracurricular activities for the holistic development of engineering students. He praised activities like debating, which play a pivotal role in nurturing critical thinking and communication skills, prerequisites for success in professional life.

Dr Ferdous Sarwar, the Moderator of BUET Debating Club, reflected the history of national and international success of the club. He lauded the remarkable arrangements and active participation, underscoring his hope for more successful events in the future.

CEO of Augmedix Bangladesh, the title sponsor for 11th BUETDC National Debating Championship and an successful former debater of BUETDC, Rashed Noman enjoyed the final debate and hoped to continue supporting discourse and young changemakers in Bangladesh. The Championship was held in association with National Life Insurance, Coca-cola Bangladesh and The Daily Star.

The current president of the executive committee of BUETDC Ishmam Tasnim expressed her gratitude to all participants, adjudicators, and organizers for their invaluable contributions in making the event a resounding success.

The closing ceremony served as a beacon of inspiration, exemplifying BUET's commitment to nurturing not only exceptional engineers but also well-rounded individuals equipped with the skills and confidence to excel in all walks of life. As the echoes of the ceremony lingered in the air, participants and attendees departed with cherished memories, knowing that "11th BUETDC Nationals 2023" had left an indelible mark in the annals of intellectual pursuit and enlightenment.