The University of the West Indies (Mona) student Krystal Tomlinson copped the top prize in the Public Speaking Competition of the World Universities Debating Championships held recently in Botswana. She was one of four UWI, Mona students who went to the represent the institution. The other members of the team are: Ricardo Brooks, Jarred Brewster and Tashna Edwards.

Public Speaking is an individual competition at “Worlds” and is generally a grueling exercise consisting of several rounds with competitors from approximately 200 premier higher educational institutions across the world. After three days of intense encounter, Tomlinson along with team mate Ricardo Brooks advanced to the final, securing two of the nine coveted spots; first and fourth, making them the only pair from the region to achieve this to date. Tomlinson  defeated competitors from renowned institutions such as Harvard, Cambridge, Cornel and Oxford.

While the achievement is unprecedented for Mona, Tomlinson follows a long line of debaters such as Danielle Archer (2001), Roger Bent (2005) and Oneil Simpson (2006) who have made their mark in the same event. Tomlinson collected her award at the Gaborone International Conference Centre on January 3, 2011. Mr. Carlton Lowrie, Acting Director of Student Services and Development, UWI, Mona who coached the team also accompanied them on this occasion.  The team returns to Jamaica on Tuesday, January 11, 2011.

Krystal Tomlinson is a final year student pursuing a major in International Relations in the Faculty of Social Sciences. She also serves on the Guild of Students as the Social Sciences Representative.