AIUB Oratory Club Hosts ‘Flip the Argument’ to Challenge Speakers on Adaptability and Spontaneity.

The AIUB Oratory Club (AOC) successfully organized “Flip the Argument: Intra-AIUB Public Speaking Competition,” a distinctive public speaking competition designed to challenge participants to think critically, adapt spontaneously, and persuasively defend opposing viewpoints.

With nearly 100 registrations from across AIUB, the competition introduced an unconventional speaking format. Participants began their speeches by defending one side of a given topic, while at any point during their speech, the judge could signal “FLIP!” requiring the speaker to immediately switch positions and continue by presenting a convincing argument for the exact opposite viewpoint.

The preliminary phase of the competition began on Thursday, August 13, at 9:30 AM, with participants competing in both Bangla and English categories. The Bangla category progressed through three rounds, from the preliminary round to the semifinal, before selecting the top three finalists. In the English category, 35 participants competed in the preliminary round, with five advancing to the final.

Unlike conventional public speaking competitions, Flip the Argument placed particular emphasis on adaptability alongside traditional speaking skills. Participants were evaluated on content and argumentation, turncoat transition and perspective-switching ability, clarity of expression, language proficiency, and time management. The competition was designed to assess not only how well participants could construct an argument, but also how effectively they could reconsider and communicate from an opposing perspective under pressure.

The competition was evaluated by a distinguished panel of AIUB faculty members, alumni, and adjudicators. Hakima Akter Rupa, Delara Hasan Ananna, Iftekhar Mahmud, Nafees Alvi Dhrubo, Shibaji Mridha, Dr. Mohammad Mahbub Rabbani, Dr. Mohammad Anisur Rahman Jamil, and Dr. Md. Saiful Islam served as judges across the different stages of the competition. Delara Hasan Ananna, Nafees Alvi Dhrubo, Dr. Mohammad Mahbub Rabbani and Dr. Mohammad Anisur Rahman Jamil served during both the preliminary rounds and the final, while Hakima Akter Rupa, Iftekhar Mahmud, Shibaji Mridha, and Dr. Md. Saiful Islam contributed during the preliminary rounds.

Their collective expertise and careful evaluation helped maintain the quality and fairness of the competition throughout its various stages.

The successful execution of the competition was made possible through the collective efforts of the AOC Executive Committee, under the guidance of Club Mentors Dr. Humayra Ferdous and Prattya Ghosh. The overall planning and execution of the event were overseen by President Muhammed Wajib Chowdhury, Vice President Shawkat Tazshir, and General Secretary Md. Rizwan Sakline Khan. Treasurer Sazida Selim coordinated the financial and budgetary aspects, while Public Speaking Coordinator Most. Tahosin Tazmin and Debate Coordinator Nadia Afroz managed participant coordination and motion preparation. Logistics Coordinator Md. Munim Hossain oversaw logistical arrangements and volunteer coordination, while PR Coordinator Rehnuma Tasnim Promi led promotional and public relations activities. Working collectively across these areas, the Executive Committee ensured the smooth coordination and execution of the competition from its preliminary stages through to the final.

The competition reached its concluding stage on Sunday, August 16, when the finalists took the stage before an audience of AOCians and AIUBians. The final transformed the competition from an intimate speaking challenge into a live public-speaking experience, with the finalists presenting before the judges and audience while demonstrating composure, confidence, and persuasiveness even when confronted with an unexpected change in position.

The final event was further enriched by the presence of AIUB’s Pro Vice Chancellor Dr. Md. Abdur Rahman, faculty members, mentors and other distinguished guests, who attended the program and delivered speeches, adding further significance to the closing ceremony.

Following the final performances, the event concluded with the announcement of the winners, crest-giving ceremony, and photography session, marking the successful conclusion of AOC’s innovative public-speaking initiative.

Through Flip the Argument, the AIUB Oratory Club sought to move beyond memorized speeches and conventional presentation skills by creating a platform where quick thinking, persuasion, confidence and adaptability became central measures of effective public speaking.

One Topic. Two Perspectives. One Speaker.

Bangla Category winners: 1st Place – Sinha Mehejabin Shifa, 2nd Place – Provat Rifatuzzaman, 3rd Place – SK. Mehedi Hassan Nabil.

English Category winners: 1st Place – Aftab Hridita, 2nd Place – Tanvir Ahmed, 3rd Place – Abid Anjum Tridib.