Bandar Seri Begawan - With this year's theme - Future of Energy, the highly anticipated BSP-UBD Green Debate returns for the third time after a year hiatus, according to a press release.

Last Monday saw the start of the preliminary rounds held at The Senate Room, Universiti Brunei Darussalam (UBD).

The premier environmental debate competition is organised by Brunei Shell Petroleum Co Sdn Bhd (BSP) in partnership with UBD, in their continuing efforts and commitment to the environment, community development and ultimately the national Vision 2035.

Present at the event were the Head of Communications and External Affairs (CEA) from BSP Lt Col (Rtd) Hj Amir Hamzah Hj Hanafi and co-chairs of the BSP-UBD Green Debate, Associate Professor Gary Jones, Programme Leader of the Borneo Research Group in the Institute of Asian Studies and Dr Hjh Sharifah Nurul Huda Alkaff, Senior Lecturer of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences of UBD as well as judges, special debate trainers, team coaches and participating schools.

In his welcoming remarks, Lt Col (Rtd) Hj Amir Hamzah said, "This third instalment of the BSP-UBD Green Debate brings about a new format of debating - The Asian Parliamentary style.

"The new format is now a standard format used regionally and internationally and will elevate the level of debaters in Brunei significantly. The Green Debate will also set the standard for future competitions."

Participating in this year's BSP-UBD Green Debate are hosts, UBD, university defending

champions, Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), Institut Teknologi Brunei (ITB), Kolej Universiti Perguruan Ugama Seri Begawan (KUPU SB), Maktab Sains Paduka Seri Begawan Sultan (MSPSBS), Pusat Tingkatan Enam Meragang (PTEM), Pusat Tingkatan Enam Katok (PTEK), and Maktab Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah.

The BSP Head of CEA also wished the students all the best and emphasised that what they learnt and the experience gained from the training workshops will prepare them as future leaders.

This year, BSP and UBD have acquired the service of two esteemed debate trainers from Malaysia, in preparation of the Asian Parliamentary style of debating for this year's competition, as well as prepare for competitions to come.

--Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin