Tafila: A three-day training program on the art of debate concluded Thursday at Tafila Technical University, equipping students with skills in critical thinking, argumentation, persuasion, and constructive dialogue as a prelude to establishing an intellectual debate club at the university.
According to Jordan News Agency, the program was organized as part of the "Jordan Elite Academy" project of the Amman-based Middle East Plus Foundation, a social enterprise and training institution, with support from the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation and in cooperation with the university's Deanship of Student Affairs.
The training aimed to promote a culture of dialogue and debate among university students and develop their analytical, argumentation, persuasion, and opinion-expression skills. It also provided a platform for constructive intellectual dialogue while encouraging participants to listen to and respect differing viewpoints.
The program featured a series of practical and interactive exercises covering the fundamentals of debate, the structure and organization of arguments, and persuasion and dialogue skills. Participants also applied the skills they acquired through practical exercises involving various debate scenarios.
The training is intended to pave the way for establishing an intellectual debate club at Tafila Technical University. The club will provide a sustainable space for students to practice debate, strengthen their critical-thinking, analytical, and discussion skills, and engage more actively with intellectual and societal issues.
University President Hassan Shalabi underscored the initiative's importance in supporting student participation and equipping students with tools for dialogue and critical thinking. He highlighted the university's commitment to providing a comprehensive educational environment that extends beyond academic learning and contributes to students' personal development and intellectual and life skills.
Shalabi added that promoting a culture of debate and constructive discussion enables students to express their views objectively and reinforces the values of dialogue and respect for differing opinions, enhancing their role in university life and society.
The activities form part of broader efforts to empower young people, develop their leadership and intellectual skills, and increase their participation in dialogue forums, contributing to the development of a generation capable of critical thinking and constructive engagement with diverse issues.