UQ law debaters competing at The Hague

27 Nov 2016
The UQ WUDC 2016 team at the Acropolis in Athens, ahead of the competition in Thessaloniki
The UQ WUDC 2016 contingent at the Acropolis in Athens

Taking advantage of overseas opportunities during your undergraduate studies is one of the best ways to improve your employability beyond law school.

That’s exactly what UQ law students Thomas Parnell, Sadie McDonald, Antonia Bellas and Phil Gracen are doing, competing in the World Universities Debating Championships (WUDC) at The Hague in 2017. UQ is sending three teams of two debaters each, drawn from the University of Queensland Debating Society. Over half the debaters are undergraduate UQ law students.

The WUDC is an annual competition attracting top debating teams from universities representing over 250 universities in over 90 countries, including Harvard and Oxford. Our students will be competing against the best teams the world has to offer.

“Debating helps us develop oral advocacy and critical thinking skills which are invaluable to law students. With the support of the University of Queensland, we have the opportunity to travel together and practice our skills at the most competitive debating forums in the world” said Antonia. 

Thomas and Sadie have also been named as the State Debating Coach for the Queensland State Team competing in the National Debating Championships in Brisbane next year. They will coach high school students as they compete head-to-head against debaters from other states.

The TC Beirne School of Law wishes Thomas, Sadie, Phil and Antonia the best of luck at The Hague. For any student wishing to take advantage of overseas opportunities, UQ Abroad offers grants to cover short-term overseas trips that may enrich your study experience.

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