The University of Cambodia Speech and Debate Society (UCSDS), formerly known as the University of Cambodia Debate Club (UCDC), held its first meeting in 2011 on January 29 in the UC Conference Center, after a year “in hibernation,” as College of Management Associate Dean Gina Lopez put it. Forty-two students attended the meeting, which focused on reintroducing the student organization to UC students and providing an overview of the group’s purpose and goals.
The meeting was facilitated by Professor Lopez and Seng-Dao Keo, Director of the UC Foundation. Dr. D. Kyle Latinis, Associate Dean of Graduate Studies Division, also attended the meeting as a member of the Advisory Committee for the new student organization. The Advisory Committee to UCSDS is comprised of all the Deans and Associate Deans of the colleges, as well as members of the UC Executive Team, and will serve to provide strategic guidance and strengthen the capacity of the student organization.
Ieng Chankreusna, a former UCDC officer, said that she was very excited to see the organization active again because many students at UC are interested in learning how to debate effectively and enjoy participating in competitions.
UCSDS will offer both speech and debate training to academic students at UC. The student organization plans to help students learn how to debate in three different parliamentary debate styles: Australian-Asian, British, and American. UCSDS also plans to help students learn how to prepare for and compete in three types of speech events: limited preparation events, such as extemporaneous and impromptu speaking; public address events, such as persuasion and oratory; and acting and interpretation events, such as dramatic and humorous interpretation.
UC students who are interested in becoming UCSDS members must complete an application form and can contact Professor Lopez or Mrs. Keo for more information. In addition, the University welcomes the participation of UC alumni who are interested in coaching students.
Elections for UCSDS will be held in early April, and all interested students are encouraged to run for office and help build the capacity of the student organization.
UCSDS has been officially recognized as a UC student organization by H.E. Dr. Kao Kim Hourn, President of UC and Adviser to Samdech Techo Prime Minister.
