Debate helps students develop reasoning, critical thinking and leadership skills, Deputy Speaker of the Bangladesh Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Kayser Kamal said.

“Debate helps us understand and present how we view our country and the world,” he said while addressing the closing ceremony of the 5th Haji Muhammad Mohsin Memorial Inter-Club Debate Championship 2026 at Dhaka University’s Mohsin Hall on Monday.

The championship was organised by the Mohsin Hall Debating Club (MHDC).

Recalling his days as a student of Mohsin Hall, Kayser Kamal said Dhaka University students would play an important role in leading Bangladesh and contributing to the world in the future.

“Those who pass the BCS examinations will serve the country and its people. I believe those involved in debate will achieve much in the future and present Bangladesh to the world,” he said.

He said he would accept invitations to future debate programmes at Dhaka University and invited students to visit the national parliament.

Highlighting the importance of debate, the Deputy Speaker said debates allow people to examine issues from different perspectives.

“Two sides present their arguments and opinions. Therefore, in a debate, neither side is defeated in the true sense; rather, everyone is a winner,” he said.

“Debate is not merely about winning or losing. It is a competition of intellect, reasoning, thought and perspective,” he added.

Referring to the role of parliament, Kayser Kamal said parliamentarians have an important responsibility to make laws in the interests of the people, according to a press release from the Parliament Secretariat.

“We do not want to see the national parliament merely as a rubber stamp. We want to see a beautiful, democratic and prosperous Bangladesh,” he said.

He also called for unity beyond political and ideological differences in the national interest.

“Some 1,400 lives have been sacrificed for building Bangladesh. In the national interest, everyone must work together irrespective of party and opinion. Let us all work together to build a prosperous Bangladesh,” he said.

Water Resources Minister Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr ABM Obaidul Islam, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Abdus Salam, Daily Star Editor and Publisher Mahfuz Anam, Mohsin Hall Provost Prof Shah Shamim Ahmed, MHDC Moderator Md Harun-or-Rashid, Dhaka University Debating Society President Md Sajid Hasan, General Secretary Miftahul Jannat Rifat and Mohsin Hall Debating Club President Mojahidul Islam, among others, attended the programme.

Teachers and students, guests, media professionals and officials and employees of the Bangladesh Parliament Secretariat were also present.