Lahore: (Wednesday, January 28): After a long hiatus of nine years, the Punjab University Department of Student Affairs Pioneers’ Debating Society has organized a two-day ‘All Pakistan Bilingual Declamation Contest’. The competition saw participation from 25 teams and 65 speakers representing renowned educational institutions from across the country, including Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad, Allama Iqbal Medical College Lahore, King Edward Medical University Lahore, and Government College University Lahore. The concluding ceremony was attended by PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali, Director Department of Student Affairs Dr Shahzeb Khan, faculty members, and a large number of students. In his address, PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali said that the role of teachers is as important outside the classrooms as it is inside them. He emphasized that for national development, students must actively participate in curricular and co-curricular activities so that they may be groomed into responsible citizens. He highlighted the importance of student societies in bringing forth students’ hidden talents and said that PU is striving to provide a positive and congenial environment on campus. He added that organizing such activities helps restore students’ confidence. He appreciated Director DSA Dr Shahzeb Khan and his team for successfully organizing an excellent event for students after a long gap. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Shahzeb Khan said that students of PU are highly talented and are making their mark in every walk of life, bringing pride to themselves and the institution. He expressed gratitude to PU VC Prof Dr Muhammad Ali and all others who extended their cooperation in making the event a success. He reaffirmed that the department would continue to play its role in encouraging students toward positive activities. Participants of the event termed the two-day competition a significant institutional achievement and expressed hope that such activities would continue in the future. For adjudication, the Urdu judges’ panel comprised Hamza Tarar, Wahab Ahmed Jamal, Hamza Mustafa, Syed Israr-ul-Hassan, Huzaifa Anwar, Yasir Rashid, Maj. Dr Atif Ali, and Muhammad Haris Ashfaq, while the English judges’ panel included Fahad Ali Kazmi, Dr Sharay Qazi, Rameesha Khan, Muhammad Sibtain Raza, Moazam Khan Lodhi, Hina Atif, Amaaz Shabir & Isha Fatima Tarar. At the conclusion of the final round, Government College University Lahore clinched the team trophy.