Pavit Coran to represent Malaysia at virtual ESU international public speaking competition

Pavit Coran (third from right) received the mock cheque from ESUM chairman Tunku Dara Naquiah (third from left) after winning the ESUM-Taylor’s Public Speaking Competition Final. Looking on are British High Commissioner to Malaysia Charles Hay (second from right), Taylor’s College pro-vice chancellor and campus director, Josephine Tan (second from left), Keerat Kaur Wathan (left) and Kon Li Ann (right).

PETALING JAYA: Multimedia University student Pavit Coran will represent Malaysia at the upcoming English Speaking Union (ESU) International Public Speaking Competition (IPSC) held virtually in London, United Kingdom.

The largest public speaking competition in the world will be held from May 10 to 14.

Pavit won the coveted spot to represent the country after winning the ESU of Malaysia (ESUM)-Taylor’s Public Speaking Competition Final on April 24, beating nine other competitors, to be named the national champion and receiving a cash prize of RM2,000.

ESUM chairman and competition chief judge Tunku Dara Tunku Tan Sri Naquiah Almarhum Tuanku Jaafar said that out of the 17 international public speaking competitions held in London, Malaysia’s representatives reached the finals six times, and three of them won awards.

In 2012, Malaysia’s representative emerged as the overall international champion, beating 53 other countries, she said in a statement from ESUM.

Taylor’s College pro-vice-chancellor and campus director Josephine Tan said the Covid-19 pandemic caused many students to miss an entire year of physical interaction with their classmates, and on polishing their communication skills, critical thinking, problem-solving and teamwork.

She added that the country needed a generation of young leaders with an astute observation of current affairs and ideas to catalyse change in order to bridge the divide of our various ideological, racial and religious differences to build the nation.

The annual ESUM-Taylor’s Public Speaking Competition this year started with a tribute to the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, who was ESU president from 1952 to 2011.

Those present at the competition held in Taylor’s College Lakeside Campus then observed a one-minute silence as a mark of respect to HRH Prince Philip who passed away on April 9.

The second prize winner went to Keerat Kaur Wathan of Taylor’s College who received RM1,500 while the third prize winner was Kon Li Ann of Methodist College Kuala Lumpur who received RM1,000.

The other seven finalists received a consolation prize of RM150 each. All finalists also received a Certificate of Merit each.

The competition was organised by the ESU of Malaysia with the support and sponsorship from Taylor’s College, and cooperation of the Malaysian Institute of Debating and Public Speaking (MIDP).