The University of the West Indies, Mona Debating team heads to the 32nd World Universities Debating Championships being held in De La Salle University in Manila, the Philippines from December 27, 2011 to January 4, 2012. This is the biggest event on the international debating calendar and is often referred to as the “Olympics” of debating. Hundreds of team will compete from over fifty institutions from more than forty countries on all five continents.
 
The Team consists of final year UWI, Mona students Krystal Tomlinson and Ricardo Brooks who placed first and fourth respectively in the Public Speaking segment of the Championships last year. Also included in the lineup are: third year Medical Sciences student, Jarred Brewster, and second year Law student, Mikhail Williams, accompanied by second year Social Sciences students, Travis Atkinson and Shamar Harrison. The contingent will also include team coaches: Carlton Lowrie, Acting Director of Student Services and Development; Roger Bent, Assistant Co-ordinator of the UWI Debating and Public Speaking Society and Danielle Archer, outstanding former “Worlds” debater and now attorney-at-law. Miss Archer and Mr Bent will also be adjudicators at the Championships.
 
For over three months the Team has undergone an intensive programme of preparation and hopes to top its outstanding public speaking performance in the final rounds of this debating competition.
 
The UWI, Mona Debating and Public Speaking Society gratefully acknowledges the contribution of National Commercial Bank, Jamaica Limited and the continued financial support provided by the University.