Debating over the divergence of views can only enrich our history and culture. But it’s definitely not everyone’s cup of tea. Not everyone has a way with words, and even fewer can string them together with the rationale of logic that oration demands. And that takes a stronghold of confidence, skill, and flair - a combination that is essential for any professional career now more than ever.

And that’s something the AIUB Oratory Club [AOC] is passionate about. Their knack for public speaking has earned them respect throughout the debating community in not only the university level, but in schools and colleges as well. Celebrating all the commendations received, AOC organized a week-long debate fest from the 5^th – 9^th of June 2016, that ranged from new member recruitment to training workshops, and even presented an Intra-AIUB Debate Competition (Bengali) and Intra-AOC Public Speaking Competition (English).

The event was opened with an insightful seminar titled, “Be a Powerful Speaker”, which hosted two founding debaters of AOC, and a full-house. Mr. Sabbir Ahmed, the founding president of the club and currently working as the Head of Service in Grameenphone, and Mr. Mehedi Kayser Pabitra, a former World’s debater, all-Asian adjudicator, and now a Lecturer in the Faculty of Arts & Social Science, have both made their marks in the debating community time and time again, and continued to prove their mettle by guiding the audience through debating dynamics, ending with tips & tricks for a more effective presentation in class.

Next, the auditions for the recruitment followed. The applicants are put through a critical assessment session in public speaking, from which the top 10 are awarded membership into AOC. Then the Intra-AIUB Debate Competition ensued in 3 rounds, after which 2 teams went head to head in the finale, alongside the Intra-AOC Public Speaking Competition. The closing ceremony started off with the final showdown for the competitions, leading to an occupational debate performed by the existing members of AOC, each representing 6 different occupations of a rickshaw puller, a farmer, a policeman, a doctor, an engineer, and a model. The idea was to showcase both sides of each occupation, to lighten up the event, finally ending with the awarding of crests and certificates to all the winners. Given the opportunity to engage with real-life examples of some excellent speakers, the audience was undoubtedly captivated throughout the week. AIUB certainly appreciates AOC’s efforts in pursuing growth and development in such an essential tool in the socially interactive and outspoken world today.