University of Queensland Debating Society
Encyclopedia
The University of Queensland Debating Society (UQDS) is one of the oldest and most active student societies at the University of Queensland
and one of the most active university debating societies in Australia.
which is 5th, and behind University of Sydney
, the University of Oxford
, Yale University
and University of Cambridge
respectively, at the World Universities Debating Championship
.
In 2011 a UQDS team were the champions at the Grand Final of the Australian Women's Debating Championships.
In 2007 a UQDS team were runners up at the World Universities Debating Championship
.
In 2007 a UQDS team were the champions in the Grand Final of the National Intervarsity Debating Championships (Easters).
It is a strong society in Australia–Asia debating circuit having been champions in the 2007 Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships
.
(Australs).
In second semester, the weekly internal competition is in the British Parliamentary Style
which is in preparation for World Universities Debating Championship
(Worlds).
The UQDS also organises regular training sessions, normally before internal competitions and tournaments, and and social events, such as the annual Dinner Ball, tournament send off parties and competition socials.
It publishes The Pig's Head.
The UQDS provides adjudication for debating competitions of the University of Queensland Intercollege Council
and University of Queensland Interfaculty Competitions.
The UQDS also run an annual high schools debating competition called the UQDS Schools Day.
University of Queensland
The University of Queensland, also known as UQ, is a public university located in state of Queensland, Australia. Founded in 1909, it is the oldest and largest university in Queensland and the fifth oldest in the nation...
and one of the most active university debating societies in Australia.
History
The University of Queensland Debating Society was officially established in 1960; however debating had been present at the University of Queensland since its formation in 1909.Ranking
As of 2011 is ranked 6th best in the World, equal at 358 points with Monash UniversityMonash University
Monash University is a public university based in Melbourne, Victoria. It was founded in 1958 and is the second oldest university in the state. Monash is a member of Australia's Group of Eight and the ASAIHL....
which is 5th, and behind University of Sydney
University of Sydney
The University of Sydney is a public university located in Sydney, New South Wales. The main campus spreads across the suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington on the southwestern outskirts of the Sydney CBD. Founded in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia and Oceania...
, the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
and University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
respectively, at the World Universities Debating Championship
World Universities Debating Championship
The World Universities Debating Championship is the world's largest debating tournament, and one of the largest annual international student events in the world. It is a parliamentary debating event, held using the British Parliamentary Debate format. Each year, the event is hosted by a university...
.
In 2011 a UQDS team were the champions at the Grand Final of the Australian Women's Debating Championships.
In 2007 a UQDS team were runners up at the World Universities Debating Championship
World Universities Debating Championship
The World Universities Debating Championship is the world's largest debating tournament, and one of the largest annual international student events in the world. It is a parliamentary debating event, held using the British Parliamentary Debate format. Each year, the event is hosted by a university...
.
In 2007 a UQDS team were the champions in the Grand Final of the National Intervarsity Debating Championships (Easters).
It is a strong society in Australia–Asia debating circuit having been champions in the 2007 Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships
Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships
The Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships is an annual debating tournament for teams from universities in the Australasian region. It is one of the world's largest debating tournaments, second only in size to the World Universities Debating Championship , and one of the largest annual...
.
Affiliation
It is affiliated with the University of Queensland Union and receives support from the University of Queensland Faculty of Business, Economics and Law. The UQDS also has strong ties with the Queensland Debating Union and the University of Queensland Law Society.Activities
In first semester, the UQDS runs a weekly internal competition at the St Lucia Campus in the Australasian style. This is largely for preparation for the Queensland Debating Championships (Queensland Cup), the National Intervarsity Debating Championships (Easters) and the Australasian Intervarsity Debating ChampionshipsAustralasian Intervarsity Debating Championships
The Australasian Intervarsity Debating Championships is an annual debating tournament for teams from universities in the Australasian region. It is one of the world's largest debating tournaments, second only in size to the World Universities Debating Championship , and one of the largest annual...
(Australs).
In second semester, the weekly internal competition is in the British Parliamentary Style
British Parliamentary Style
British Parliamentary style debate is a common form of academic debate. It has gained support in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Europe, Africa, Philippines and United States, and has also been adopted as the official style of the World Universities Debating Championship and European...
which is in preparation for World Universities Debating Championship
World Universities Debating Championship
The World Universities Debating Championship is the world's largest debating tournament, and one of the largest annual international student events in the world. It is a parliamentary debating event, held using the British Parliamentary Debate format. Each year, the event is hosted by a university...
(Worlds).
The UQDS also organises regular training sessions, normally before internal competitions and tournaments, and and social events, such as the annual Dinner Ball, tournament send off parties and competition socials.
It publishes The Pig's Head.
The UQDS provides adjudication for debating competitions of the University of Queensland Intercollege Council
University of Queensland Intercollege Council
The University of Queensland Intercollege Council is the representative body for the residential colleges of the University of Queensland. Every year colleges compete for the ICC Sporting and Cultural Cups, the former being further divided into male and female divisions.ICC sports include:* Touch...
and University of Queensland Interfaculty Competitions.
The UQDS also run an annual high schools debating competition called the UQDS Schools Day.
Organisation
The UQDS is coordinated by an executive committee elected each year for a term of one year. The current 2012 Executive is:- President – Jessica Rusten
- Vice President (Administration) – Anthony Smith
- Vice President (External Competitions) – David Stephens
- Vice President (Internal Competitions) – Thomas Ashby
- Vice Presidents (Sponsorship) – Nicholas Britz and Luke Moloney
- Secretary – Nick Derrington
- Treasurer – Dan Mouat
- Training Officers – Emily Chalk and Patrick Begley
- Novice Officers – Helena Obermair and Sam Leigh
- Social Officers – Felicity Dunstone and Eloise Clare
- Editors – Sadi Zahir, Tasman Bain, Michael Maynard and Tom Duhig