GU-Q Debate Union Clinches 3rd Qatar Universities Debate League Win

The Georgetown University in Qatar Debate Union was crowned top in the league at the Qatar Debate Centre’s 3rd Qatar Universities Debate League (QUDL) tournament this academic year, which was held in the Student Centre in Qatar Foundation’s Education City. The victorious Hoyas beat out stiff competition in the tournament which saw participation from 20 teams representing six universities, including College of the North Atlantic Qatar, Doha Institute, Northwestern University in Qatar, Qatar University, and Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar. 

The debate team also won the public debate, organized by Qatar Debate in collaboration with the National Committee for the Prohibition of Weapons NCPW, which took place on the sidelines of the tournament between the top four teams on the topic, “This house believes regional agreements for nuclear non-proliferation are more effective than global agreements.” Khansa Maria (SFS’21), co-captain of the debating union, won the Best Speaker award for the public debate.

Team members also served as judges for the competition. This year’s debate team is comprised of several first-time competitors from the incoming Class of 2023. Mudassar Raza Shakir (SFS’21), union president, says he has high expectations for a team that is comprised of so many freshman already competing at such a high level. 

Beyond ranking top debate team, and winning best speaker, the GU-Q Debating Union also saw three teams of two break into the top five rankings, placing the union one more win away from winning the QUDL league championship for the academic year. 

Individual Team Rankings:

Muhammad Saad Ullah (SFS’23) & Khansa Maria (SFS’21) – 3rd Place

Hajer Ouzzani (SFS’23) & Noor Aloukati (SFS’23) – 4th Place

Taha Kaleem Bukhari (SFS’22) & Khushboo Shah (SFS’22) – 5th Place

Haider Umair Ahmar (SFS’22) & Aleksandr Chirgun (SFS’22) – 10th Place

Debate Judges:

Abhijeet Pant (SFS’22)

Prajwal Bikram Bista (SFS’23)

Nikhil Sangroula (SFS’23)

Fatima Moiyed (SFS’23)

Muhammad Carter (SFS’23)