An-Najah University Debate Club Crowned Champion of the National Inter-University Debate Championship Funded by UNDP
In a new milestone for academic excellence and student leadership, the Debate Club at An-Najah National University has won first place in the 2025 National Inter-University Debate Championship, held under the patronage of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The final round took place on July 16 in Jericho, following a series of high-level debates between four top Palestinian universities: An-Najah, Birzeit, Bethlehem, and Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie.
The championship, supervised by Bethlehem University and supported by UNDP, brought together over 200 students and was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Higher Education, UNDP, and senior officials from participating universities.
An-Najah’s team secured their place in the final after a strong performance against Birzeit University. They went on to defeat Bethlehem University in a highly competitive final debate that showcased exceptional rhetorical and critical thinking skills.
Representing An-Najah were students Celine Zawawe, Lana Rawajbeh, Mohammad Sweilem, Tala Obeid, Marah Sarhad, and Salma Abu Shammat, all of whom advanced through an internal qualifying championship organized by the Deanship of Student Affairs. The team was supervised by Eng. Mohammad Daqa, Dean of Student Affairs, and Mr. Eyad Al-Aqra, Director of Student Affairs, with coaching by Baha’ Faroukh and Adnan Bubli.
Prof. Abdel Nasser Zaid, President of An-Najah, congratulated the team and emphasized the university’s commitment to supporting student initiatives beyond academic instruction: “We are proud of our students’ achievement. Debate fosters leadership, dialogue, and critical thinking—skills essential for building responsible future changemakers.”
Eng. Mohammad Daqa noted that the victory reflects the university’s integrated efforts to empower students through meaningful extracurricular programs: “This result is the product of strategic preparation and a vision that prioritizes the development of students’ intellectual and leadership capacities.”
Mr. Eyad Al-Aqra also praised the team’s accomplishment, saying: “Their performance reflected depth, discipline, and cultural awareness. It’s a testament to the caliber of An-Najah’s students and the university’s investment in their holistic growth.”
The initiative aligns with An-Najah’s efforts to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in quality education, reducing inequality, and building sustainable communities.
The event concluded with an awards ceremony recognizing all participating teams in a spirit of respectful competition and shared commitment to fostering a culture of dialogue and debate within Palestinian universities.
