Caribbean Maritime University (CMU) is already steadying its foothold on the global intellectual landscape – as Matthew Gilzene and Nahjae Nunes are representing the University at the Pan-American Universities Debating Championship at Morehouse College, Atlanta, USA from April 6 -8, 2018
Often known for its courses in logistics and seafaring, CMU is expanding its capacity and student experience through Debating and Public Speaking. In a ground-breaking initiative spearheaded by the University’s administration and past world debaters; Shani Bennett and Kevon Martin, CMU hosted their first British Parliamentary Debate Competition and from that pool selected top talent to represent the University at the Pan-American Championship.
Gilzene and Nunez, first and third-year students respectively, were selected and coached for the competition. CMU coaches said preparation for the championship was intense; they particularly noted that Jamaican debaters had to work hard to adapt to British Parliamentary debating style, the format used in in the tournament. More generally, all debaters must be prepared with an extensive arsenal of arguments and up-to-date information.
“It takes a lot of hard work adapting to the British Parliament Style of debating, it’s like learning a new language,” said Bennett. However, both Gilzene and Nunes were top debaters in high school so the adjustment was fairly easy.
According to Nunes, this is an excellent opportunity for students [debating] to build their publc speaking and critical thinking skills. “At the very least, debating helps students to see the importance of using rational and reasoned arguments,” he said. “Since I’ve been a debater, I’m able to use more organized and compelling evidence when I write argumentative essays in class.”
Meanwhile, Gilzene said debating has improved his ability to critically discuss global issues rigorously—an effect he would want to share with his university colleagues as executive advisor of the Debating and Literary Arts Society.
The Debating and Literary Arts Society, which started in February, seeks to equip students with a multi-faceted knowledge cutting across various disciplines while providing an engaging environment where they can actively discuss an array of local and international issues. This, in turn, will improve their high order critical thinking skills and afford them with the ability to structure and organize their thoughts.
Club advisor and chaperone, Nikel Innerarity praised the support from the University administration and faculty. “The support from all levels has been excellent, especially the Office of Student Affairs,” he said.
The tournament will see some 500 tertiary-level debaters and debate administrators from South, Central and North America, as well as the Caribbean debate on topics ranging from International Relations, Ethics, Law, War, Human Rights and the Environment.
