Pabna Correspondent : A lively National Science Debate Festival was held in Pabna on Wednesday, featuring students from eight schools under the slogan “debate means logic, science brings freedom.”

Organised by the Samakal Suhrid Samabesh and Bangladesh Freedom Foundation, the debate competition took place at the VIP auditorium of Pabna Press Club in a festive atmosphere.

Pabna Zilla School emerged as the champion, while Pabna Collectorate Public School and College became the runner-up. Nusrat Jahan, a student of Pabna Collectorate Public School and College, was named the best debater.

Pabna Deputy Commissioner Aminul Islam distributed crests and certificates among the winners as the chief guest at the closing ceremony.

The participating institutions were Square High School and College, Pabna Government Girls’ High School, Adarsha Girls’ High School, Central Girls’ High School, Shaheed Fazlur Haque Municipal High School, and Gopal Chandra Institution (GCI), along with the two finalist schools.

Earlier in the morning, SM Mahbub Alam, principal of Nazirganj High School and College and a noted mathematician, inaugurated the competition.

The programme began with Quran recitation and the national anthem. More than 150 students, teachers and guardians attended and enjoyed the debate sessions.

ABM Fazlur Rahman, staff reporter of Samakal in Pabna, presided over the closing ceremony. Pabna Press Club President Akhtaruzzaman Akhtar, General Secretary Zahurul Islam and former secretary Utpal Mirza, among others, spoke at the event.

Associate Professor SM Farid of the Chemistry Department at Government Edward College, retired government official Firoza Khan and journalist Shafik Al Kamal served as judges. Dr Mansur Alam, president of the Sahitya o Debate Club, Pabna, served as moderator.

A number of journalists, press club officials, district administration representatives and members of the Samakal Suhrid Samabesh were also present at the event.