A Celebration of Excellence: 22nd Interschool Debating Championship Concluded Successfully

The 22nd Interschool Debating Championship (IDC) reached its successful conclusion with the physical Outrounds hosted at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), Gombak campus from 19th to 21st July 2025. This championship continues to serve as a premier platform for secondary school students to engage in intellectual discourse, showcase their critical thinking abilities, and cultivate meaningful dialogue across linguistic and cultural lines.

The Interschool Debating Championship is organized in two main phases: the Preliminary Rounds and the Outrounds. The Preliminary Rounds were conducted virtually, allowing widespread participation from across Malaysia and neighbouring countries. Following this, the Outrounds were conducted physically at IIUM Gombak, bringing together the highest-ranking teams from each category for the final leg of the tournament. From the total number of participants, 16 teams from the Malay category, 32 teams from the English category, and 16 teams from the Arabic category qualified to compete in the Outrounds.

The championship received overwhelming participation, with a total of 195 teams competing across three language categories. The Bahasa Melayu category saw 45 teams competing, while the English category featured 99 teams, and the Arabic category included 51 teams. The Arabic category was particularly distinguished by its international participation, as schools from Singapore, Indonesia, and Brunei joined the tournament. This reflects the growing regional reach and influence of the Interschool Debating Championship.

The Outrounds witnessed high-calibre debates across all categories. Emerging as champions were Sekolah Menengah Sains Rembau in the Malay category, Sekolah Sultan Alam Shah A in the English category, and Madrasah Alsagoff Al-Arabiah B in the Arabic category. Their victories are a testament to their dedication, preparation, and the strength of their teams’ argumentative and rhetorical skills.

The success of this event would not have been possible without the combined efforts of many. IIUM World Debate and Oratory Centre extends its heartfelt appreciation to all participating schools and debaters, adjudicators, teachers, and chaperones for their unwavering commitment. Special thanks are also due to the organizing committees and all those who worked tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the smooth running of the championship.

The 22nd IDC marks yet another milestone in fostering a culture of debate and dialogue among the youth. It is hoped that this experience will inspire all participants to continue refining their skills and contributing meaningfully to discourse in their respective communities.