QatarDebate, a member of Qatar Foundation (QF), yesterday launched the third International Universities Arabic Debating Championship (IUADC) at Qatar National Convention Centre (QNCC).Held under the patronage of HE Sheikha Hind bint Hamad al-Thani, vice-chairperson of QF, teams from 67 universities are participating in the championship, representing 33 Arab and non-Arab countries. Dr Hayat Marafi, executive director of QatarDebate, said the championship was an opportunity for everyone to make a significant difference in their communities and countries. “I am confident that this year’s IUADC will be a proud milestone of achievement in their personal lives. Each participant will benefit from the championship not only through competitive debating but also by exchanging experiences, opinions and different cultural values and ideas among each other.”The official pointed out that QatarDebate was awarded the title, “The guards of Arabic language”, by Sumou Foundation in Saudi Arabia because of the efforts made by the organisation.Further, Dr Marafi stressed that QatarDebate’s efforts have not only helped spread debate but also created opportunities to debate in Arabic in places where such an art never existed. She said Qatari student Yousef Fakhro, who trained a team from the University of Utah, and participants from the university are competing in this year’s IUADC. The championship will conclude on April 29.