At the recently held inaugural East Guangdong Intercollegiate Integrity Debate Championship, GTIIT debate team claimed their moment of glory. This young team, established less than two years ago, fought their way through the competition, ultimately securing the runner-up title! Team member Zhang Hongyi further distinguished himself by winning the "Best Debater" award, showcasing GTIIT students' exceptional humanistic literacy and critical thinking abilities.

GT team received the award；2nd from the right: Zhang Hongyi

In the finals, facing formidable opponents, GTIIT debaters displayed remarkable composure and teamwork, engaging in a thrilling debate that conveyed their profound reflections on integrity culture in the new era. Though narrowly missing the championship with a 2-3 score, their performance left a lasting impression.

The GTIIT debate team brings together students from diverse programs. During preparations, they leveraged their strengths, balancing rigorous coursework with intensive training while supporting one another. It was this passionate and cohesive team dynamic that enabled their brilliance on stage.

Lawrence Liao, Director of the Student Affairs Department of GTIIT, praised the students' outstanding performance, noting, "The beauty of debate lies in the precision of language, the clash of intellect, and the teamwork and wit displayed through words." Professor Tao Rui from Jiaying University also commended GTIIT’s debate strategy of "building emotional connections through cultural resonance."

GTIIT debater Ma Zibo shared his excitement: "This competition deepened my understanding of integrity culture. Our ultimate goal is to promote the internalization of values—helping people recognize integrity’s vital role in personal growth and social development. Only when integrity becomes a conscious belief can it inspire self-discipline and mutual oversight."

This competition sparked contemplation and discussion on the culture of integrity among GTIIT students. We hope the GTIIT debate team achieve greater success in future contests, showcasing the intellectual brilliance of the new generation of youth.

Text/Photos: GTIIT Youth League Committee, GTIIT News & Public Affairs