Back in 2008, Zubair Nabi (TE-05), Haider Miraj (TE-07) and I (CS-06) laid down the foundations of the FAST Universities Debating Championship. While Haider, the Vice President, managed the Urdu declamations contest of the first FUDC, Zubair (President) and I (Secretary General) managed the British Parliamentary (BP) component of the event.

It is safe to say that FUDC ’08 laid down the foundations of the British Parliamentary debating format, also known as the Worlds format. It was a big challenge given that I was the only person in FAST who had actually done BP format of debating. Zubair and I trained numerous students for the event and the event was a huge success!

The year 2009 saw FUDC grow into one of the biggest debating events of the year. I took charge as the President and Saran Ahmad came into the picture as the Vice President. Since Zubair had graduated, he was honored with the position of the Chief Adjudicator of the event. The relentless efforts of the Head of Logistics, Mobin Mukhtar, Head of Operations, Ali Nizami, Head of Finance, Nida Hussein and Head of Registrations, Faryal Nawaz made FUDC ’09 possible. Maryam Misha, Head of Host team and Mehreen Ejaz, Head of Socials made heavy contributions. The awesome Directors of the event were the pillars of FUDC ’09. A complete list can be found on the Facebook group. It was sponsored by the USEFP and FAST. Details on FUDC ’09 can be found on the links below:

https://samiranwar.net/2009/10/03/fudc-09-first-day-opening-concert/

https://samiranwar.net/2009/10/05/fudc-09-closing-imran-khan/

2010 saw me graduate as well. The torch was passed to Faryal Nawaz and Nida Hussein as Conveners of FUDC ’10. Faryal took charge as the President while Nida became the Secretary General. A new face, Obaidullah took over as the Vice President.. This version of FUDC was sponsored by Khushhali Bank.I was honored by being nominated as the Chief Adjudicator of the event.

Too many people have contributed in making FUDC one of the most popular debating events in Pakistan. The FAST National University administration has been more than supportive in making the event an annual happening. A large number of students worked day and night, without any incentive, to make the event a success.

In today’s Pakistan, debating holds tremendous importance. Debating promotes tolerance. It is an intellectually stimulating activity, much needed by our youth. The art of arguing for something that you don’t believe in give you a second perspective. That perspective helps you grow as a person.

The best part of FUDC is that it still exists. Even through the founding leadership has graduated and left FAST, the event has been taken up by even better organizers and is growing. The FAST Debating Society, which was founded after FUDC ’08 remains the most active and prospering student body on the FAST campus.

May this journey continue forever. Prestigious universities around the world promote such activities and they have developed over a span of centuries. We have traveled a long way in a very short span of time.

I look forward to FUDC ’11!