Engineering Faculty Wins PNGUoT 2026 Debate Competition
The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT) has formally recognised the Faculty of Engineering for winning its fifth consecutive Inter-Faculty Debate Competition title, following the conclusion of the competition in September.
Engineering, which defeated the Faculty of Sciences in the grand final on the 17th of September, was officially presented with the championship shield, trophy, medals and K1,700 in prize money during the Debate Awards and Closing Ceremony held on the 29th of October last week.
Second-year Civil Engineering student and winning team member Tumu Yangen described the victory as an unexpected achievement after the team struggled during the preliminary rounds.
“We didn’t think that we would make it this far again to reclaim the shield and make it five straight. We thought that we were out,” Yangen said.
He explained that the team faced elimination before winning a crucial match against the Faculty of Natural Resources, followed by a semifinal victory over the Faculty of Humanities and a grand final win against Sciences.
Yangen credited the team’s determination and the guidance of their coaches for helping them improve throughout the competition.
For Yangen, who was participating in a debate competition for the first time, the experience provided an opportunity to develop skills beyond his engineering studies.
“I’ve learned a lot on how to approach problems and how to articulate things and ideas, concepts,” he said.
He also highlighted the role of debating in developing confidence, public speaking and leadership skills among students, noting that several former debaters have gone on to hold student leadership positions.
The awards ceremony recognised participants from all five faculties for their involvement and achievements throughout the competition.
The Faculty of Sciences received the second-place award of K1,200, followed by the Faculty of Built Environment in third place with K800. The Faculty of Humanities and Faculty of Natural Resources placed fourth and fifth respectively, each receiving K500.
Speaking at the ceremony, Professor Mel commended the students for demonstrating confidence, critical thinking and the ability to communicate and defend their ideas.
“There is no better testing facility than in debating, in reading up and collecting information, putting into some strategic order, some meaningful structure so that you can begin to articulate and defend an idea,” he said.
He emphasised that debating provides students with valuable skills that extend beyond academic learning, particularly in communication, leadership and interpersonal relationships.
“The ability to talk and articulate yourself not only comes in the classroom, but beyond the classroom,” he said.
Professor Mel also encouraged students to develop a habit of reading and gathering information to strengthen their knowledge and ability to communicate effectively.
Reflecting on the competition, he expressed confidence in the potential of the University’s young speakers.
“I’ve seen many great speakers, young people, and it makes me very proud, very happy to know that we have capacity, we’re building capacity, we’re building the future,” he said.
In addition to the faculty awards, Noah Maraga from the Faculty of Built Environment was named Best Male Debater, while Daphney Seth from the Faculty of Sciences received the Best Female Debater award for their performances throughout the competition.
The organising committee also announced the University’s top debaters, selected based on their cumulative performances during the competition, who will form the PNGUoT debating team for potential external competitions in 2027.
The team includes; Noah Maraga (Built Environment), Micheal Vela (Built Environment), Zoltin Papi (Sciences), Daphney Seth (Sciences), Mercy Polye (Humanities) and Jemimah Yakka (Sciences).
The debate organisers acknowledged the University’s management, faculty coordinators, adjudicators, timekeepers and supporters for their contributions to the competition.
The competition continues to provide a platform for students to engage in intellectual discussions, develop confidence and strengthen skills that will support their academic, professional and leadership development.