Do you dread the idea of speaking in public, or do you relish the chance to oratorically shine?
Curtin Sarawak students were given the opportunity to put their public speaking and critical thinking skills to the test at the Stand Up! Speak Out! 2016 Impromptu Speech Contest held at the university recently.
The event, jointly organised by the university’s Leadership and Entrepreneurship Centre (LEC) and Student Council in collaboration with the Toastmasters Club and Curtin Oratory and Debating Society (CODES), was aimed at helping students overcome the fear of public speaking and to harness their critical thinking skills.
The event kicked off with an introductory session by two seasoned speakers, Nguyen Quang Minh, a Curtin Sarawak debater, and Stuart Lee, a former Toastmasters International Humorous Speech champion, who is also a public speaking trainer and coach in Brunei Darussalam.
Nguyen and Lee shared their experiences in public speaking and gave their fellow students tips on being effective public speakers.
Participants of the competition were required to get on stage and speak on a randomly chosen topic for up to two minutes and were judged by representatives of the Miri Toastmasters Club and the LEC. Twenty-four students from the three faculties at Curtin Sarawak took part.
Second-year chemical engineering student Teekay Eugine Siringwani emerged the champion, while second-year petroleum engineering student Chai Siew Hong and first-year chemical engineering student Jerin Thomas George were declared the first and second runner-ups respectively.
“You need to focus on highlighting similarities rather than differences when it comes to giving impromptu speeches,” says Teekay. The Zimbabwean walked away with a trophy and RM200 cash prize for his rhetoric achievement. Jerin says that listening to his fellow competitors was both touching and inspirational.
All the participants agreed that the competition helped them overcome their fear of speaking in front of an audience. They also said it was a good platform for them to express their views.
Formed in 2012, CODES is one of the most active and successful student clubs at Curtin Sarawak whose members have participated in various national and international competitions.
