Indian Muslims Welfare Association (IMWA) EDUMEET 2016 was conducted at Salmiya Indian Model School on 13th May 2016. EDUMEET is an opportunity for Indian students to demonstrate their talents in the arena of public speaking and essay writing. The program was hosted by Ms. Kiren Mohammed Khalid, Ms. Fatima Hanif and Ms. Sumaya Parveen.
The event comprised of essay writing competition and inter-school debate competition.
The event started by the recitation of the holy Quran by Ms. Saima Bandarkar and the English translation by Ms. Asma Manshauddin. This was followed by the essay writing competition. Essay writing participants were divided into three groups i.e. Group A (Class VII – VIII), Group B (Class IX – X) and Group C (Class XI – XII). Each group was given a separate topic with a time limit of 30 minutes and maximum 250 words. A panel of six eminent judges was given the tough task of marking the essays and selecting the winners from each group as the debate was going on.
This was followed by the debate competition. Eleven schools sent in two talented contestants each to participate in debate on the topic “Is the Indian media playing its role as the 4th pillar of democracy?” one student for the motion and the other, against. A panel of three eminent adjudicators evaluated the participants’ performance simultaneously. Mrs. Moli Divakaran Deputy Head of English department at Australian College of Kuwait. She is an educationist with over 25 years of teaching experience in India, Canada and Kuwait, Dr. Sabiha Bilgrami from Kuwait University who is the president of Kuwait Leaders Toastmasters Club, Dr. Navniit Gandhi an academician, and a writer. She has taught International Politics and Journalism under the aegis of the University of Mumbai for over twelve years. She has written and published more than 150 articles on social and humane issues and Mrs. Rana Khan who is currently working as English Language Instructor at College of Education, Kuwait University. The evaluation was processed online with the data entered by the judges transmitted live to the moderator Eng. Mohammad Zahid.
After each participant had concluded their speech the judges were given time to ask questions relevant to the case they had put across. The Debate contest was tough but fully enjoyed by all present. Self confidence, presentation skills, body language and performance on stage revealed the abundant talent existing in our young children. Debate is a challenge even for seasoned orators but the twenty two debate participants took up this challenge and demonstrated their public speaking skills. They had the audience spellbound by convincingly expressing their point of view, citing excellent examples and their presence of mind and preparation in answering the judge’s questions.
Ms. Susanne Rechlin graced the occasion and gave a wonderful talk on “Attaining success academically, ethically and morally”. She has been in the field of education for 22 years, the last 8 of which as principal of Reborn Kids Education Academy, Kuwait.
Mr. Sanjeev Saklani - Attache, Education at the Indian Embassy, Kuwait also graced the occasion and was full of appreciation on IMWA’s efforts to host such events for the benefit of the children of the Indian Community in Kuwait.
IMWA President Mr. Jawaid Anwer and FIMA President Mr. Ifthekar Ahamed in their speech mentioned that the debate competition is very useful for preparing students for their future career and thanked IMWA Executive Council Members for conducting such events.
The results of both the essay writing and debate competition were declared immediately after the event and certificates and prizes were distributed to the winners by the chief guests Ms. Susanne Rechlin and Mr. Sanjeev Saklani.
DEBATE WINNERS
Winner - Mohammad Mishal
Indian Community School, Senior Branch
1st Runner up - Anirudha Ramesh
Indian Educational School
2nd Runner up - Aditya Jaypal
Indian Educational School
DEBATE SCHOOL TROPHY
INDIAN EDUCATIONAL SCHOOL - Anirudha Ramesh & Aditya Jaypal
ESSAY WRITING WINNERS
GROUP A (Class VII - VIII)
Winner - Zain Al Abidin Parker
Indian Educational School
1st Runner up - Afreen Banu
Indian Community School, Amman Branch
GROUP B (Class IX - X)
Winner - Sumayya Parveen Gesawat
Indian Community School, Senior Branch
1st Runner up - Mohmmed Nawfal
Learners Own Academy
IMWA Talent -Yumna Kulsoom Adeel
GROUP C (Class XI - XII)
Winner - Zohra Khatoon
Salmiya Indian Modal School
1st Runner up - Mohammed Mishal
Indian Community School - Senior Branch