APU Team Won MYCAT Debate Competition

Keong Yan Qi, Chung Wei Qi, Chua Eng Khee, and Rajveen Kaur prevailed in six rounds of debate at Taman Negara, Pahang; coming out victorious against students from other local universities including UM, UCSI and TAR UMT.

Keong Yan Qi, Chung Wei Qi, Chua Eng Khee, and Rajveen Kaur, debaters from Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) won first place in the inaugural Youth for Tigers (Y4T) Debate Competition held in Sungai Relau, Taman Negara, Pahang.

Despite majoring in financial technology, actuarial studies, software engineering, and intelligent systems, respectively; the four of them are very engaged in conservation work, particularly related to the environment and wildlife.

Opportunity to participate in an adventure trip to Malaysia’s 130 million-year-old tropical rainforest organized by the non-governmental organization (NGO), Malaysian Conservation Alliance for Tigers (MYCAT), allowed them to learn education outside of the classroom, particularly through the Y4T Debate Competition and other activities such as ice-breaking sessions, camping, a tiger documentary, and a CatWalk.

APU debaters faced off against teams from local universities including University Malaya (UM), University College Sedaya International (UCSI), International University of Management (IUM), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and Tunku Abdul Rahman University of Management and Technology (TAR UMT).

Each group had to compete in six rounds of debate on the theme of ‘Tigers and Its Forest’ while camped out in tents and living off the grid and in the final round, APU debaters were crowned the debate winners.

“Y4T Debate Competition taught us how to put forth our knowledge as well as being open-minded and sympathetic to opinions,” said Yan Qi, speaking on behalf of her team.

The reason for their team’s success is that they kept an open mind after being critiqued by an experienced debater who was kind enough to provide feedback after one round of debate.

“His teaching made us more confident and really boost our growth and competitiveness, and after adjusting our roles and skills, we manage to triumph at the end,” she said adding that “We gained valuable knowledge and insights on conservation work as well as a sense of responsibility towards Mother Nature.”

Furthermore, the four of them understood that their participation in the APU Integrated Sustainability Urban Centre (ISUC) Student Chapter greatly improved their chances of winning.

Students said they were fortunate to have the unwavering support of Ms Abbhirami Sivarajan, who guided them through the process of sharing knowledge and constructive criticism.

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“We will definitely compete in future competitions, pursue a career that values sustainability, and influence others to do the same,” she concluded.

Last year, APU ISUC Student Chapter collaborated with MYCAT and De Montfort University (DMU) to organise an obstacle run called Roar Run at APU campus.

More than 150 people participated in the Roar Run, which raised RM3,734.80 for tiger conservation efforts. All participants received t-shirts and e-certificates from MYCAT, and the top three finishers received smart neck massagers from Tech Murah. The Roar Run initiative also won the MYCAT award for Best Individual Initiative and received RM 1,000.

Additionally, Rajveen Kaur was chosen to join the Global Goals Youth Summit 2023, which took place earlier this year and was attended by more than 100 young leaders from 25 different countries.

Upon completion of all training, delegates were appointed as Global Action Ambassadors for their recognised countries.