SUNGAI BESAR, A debate team from Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) were crowned champions of the Higher Education Institution Statistics Debate second edition today after defeating the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) team.

The competition, organised by the Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) in collaboration with the Malaysian Universities Debating Council (MADUM), was held in conjunction with National Statistics Day 2023 celebrated on Oct 20.

The theme of the competition was ‘Pasaran Buruh’ (Labour Market). The competition involved 14 debating teams from 14 institutions of higher learning (IPTs), with early competition rounds held at the Malaysian Statistical Training Institute (ILSM) in Sungkai, Perak from Oct 6 to 8.

The programme was held to encourage critical and analytical thinking among students about issues in relation to the labour market through a presentation of rational arguments as well as the analysis of data and facts while increasing the use of statistics issued by DOSM.

Chief Statistician Datuk Seri Dr Mohd Uzir Mahidin said the inaugural statistical debate competition was seen to have successfully showcased participants’ ability to debate using facts and data better than in the competition’s first edition.

“We want their (debaters) arguments to be based on data not only from the labour force aspect but also data related to economic growth, investment and so on,” he said when met by the media after the event here today.

“So we want them to see the debate in a broader context…I think there is more room for improvement in their debating skills…”

With regard to the local community’s use of data, he said until now, the OpenDOSM portal, which was launched by DOSM on Jan 12, has received one million views

“OpenDOSM is open to regular users and those involved in research, and we have received a lot of feedback, including from entrepreneurs who say the service has helped their business,” he also said.

Mohd Uzir added that looking ahead, DOSM will research several appropriate technologies to collect data related to topography in order to obtain data including that related to types of crops and agriculture in the country.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency