By Amirul Salam Hasan, Corporate Communication Office

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT) once again demonstrated its commitment to nurturing confident, capable, and socially conscious students at the recent 2025 Vice-Chancellor’s Cup Debate (DPNC).

The prestigious competition brought together 20 Malay-language teams from across faculties, challenging participants to present persuasive arguments, think critically, and solve complex problems under pressure.

The STEM A team from UMT’s Centre for STEM Foundation Studies (PASTEM) emerged as champions with the motion, “This House Believes the Blue Economy is the Solution to Malaysia’s Socioeconomic Disparities”, winning the trophy and a cash prize. The team stood out for their well-structured arguments, composure, and innovative ideas, even against more experienced undergraduate teams and the runners-up.

19-year-old Norshahirah Hisham, representing STEM A, said the experience was invaluable. “The trophy and cash prize are exciting, but the real value lies in the opportunity to develop problem-solving skills and confidence through rigorous debate,” she shared. She added that competing against senior students pushed the team to grow both intellectually and personally.

The achievement underscores UMT’s ability to prepare students to compete confidently on national stages. It also highlights the university’s commitment to fostering critical thinking, effective communication, and ethical reasoning from the foundation level.

The 2025 DPNC also featured an English-language debate category, with 10 teams and a total of 120 participants, further reflecting UMT’s role in promoting intellectual engagement and cross-campus collaboration.

Professor Dr. Mohd Izani Mohd Zain, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs and Alumni) and Chairman of Malaysian University Debating Council (MADUM), praised the students’ performance. “Debating at this level cultivates courage, communication skills, and awareness of pressing issues. By choosing the Blue Economy as the motion, we aim to link students’ academic growth with national priorities, sustainability, and community development. UMT is committed to shaping students who can think across disciplines and make informed decisions balancing economic and environmental needs,” he said.

Through initiatives like the DPNC, UMT continues to strengthen its reputation as a university that empowers students to excel academically, lead responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to society.