TISDC-25 Debate Tournament

On March 1–2, 2025, the international school debate tournament TISDC-25 was held in Almaty at Turan University. The event brought together 138 participants from 9 countries, and the competition was conducted in the prestigious format of the World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC).

This year, the tournament gathered school students from Kazakhstan, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Malawi, Tajikistan, the USA, Mexico, and the Philippines. Out of the 51 registered teams, 46 teams took part in the debates, and 25 experts served as judges.

The tournament was held in English, allowing participants not only to develop their analytical and rhetorical skills but also to improve their proficiency in the international language of communication. Each debate session featured two teams of three speakers: one team supporting the proposed motion, the other opposing it. Every participant delivered an 8-minute speech, followed by a 4-minute concluding statement from each team.

TISDC-25 not only determined the best debaters but also provided valuable educational opportunities for the winners. The tournament champions received a trophy and individual medals; the finalists were awarded silver medals and a trophy; and the best speaker of the tournament was honored with a special prize. Certificates were presented to the top ten participants, and a special award was given to the best novice team.

In addition, winners and prizewinners received significant educational bonuses. The champions (3 participants) were awarded a two-year scholarship to study at Turan University. The finalists (3 participants) received a one-year scholarship. The teams that placed third (6 participants) received a 50% discount on their first year of studies.

The organizers of the tournament — Turan University and the Republican Educational and Methodological Center for Supplementary Education (RUMCDO), with the support of Your Tournament — noted the high level of preparation of the participants and the professionalism of the judges. The tournament was not only a competition but also a platform for international communication, exchange of experience, and cultural enrichment. Turan University will continue to support young talents and invites everyone interested to take part in the next tournament.