St. John’s Debate Society Holds Historic Internet Debate with Nazarbayev University in Kazakhstan

The St. John’s University Debate Society held its first ever formal debate over the internet with a University located more than five thousand miles from the Queens campus.Nazarbayev University located in Astana, Kazakhstan participated in a debate with Queens campus students on the topic: This House regrets the presence of heterosexual, cis gendered politicians at pride events.

The topic for the debate and the invitation to debate were extended to the SJU Debate Society who was excited for the unique opportunity. This event was the first successful formal debate held on the internet for both institutions.

Participating in the debate were Hujon Goulbourne, Yeves Nguyen, Megan Solomon, and Lily Ferguson, all St. John’s University students. Representing Nazarbayev University were Azat Gabdolla, Magzhan Sovetbek, Aigerim Shadeyeva and Dauren Binazarov. Teams of two from both universities took both sides of the proposition.

“The future of intercollegiate debate will be online,” said Dr. Stephen Llano, Director of the Debate Society and Associate Professor of Rhetoric at St. John’s. “This was a historic moment for the debate society and the university.”Professor Llano said the event would not have been possible without the technology provided by St. John’s. “WebEx made this debate possible, it would not have happened without it,” he said. “Technology such as this is essential for offering these unique, educational experiences to St. John’s University students.”

The next debate is scheduled for November 2nd between these two universities, on a question of voting for US supreme court justices.Recordings of the debates will be available online soon, and in future debates those who want to watch live will be able to do so through a simple web link.

For more information on the Debate Society at St. John's University, contact the Director, Dr. Stephen Llano at [email protected]