Bangkok, August 27, 2025 – In a true “David vs. Goliath” story, Huachiew Chalermprakiet University (HCU), a small private university in Thailand, emerged as the champion of The Second NIDA International Debating Championship for Sustainable Development. The HCU team, made up of third-year undergraduates, triumphed over seven graduate-level teams (Master’s and PhD) from leading state universities in China, Singapore, and Thailand.

“This achievement reflects the dedication of our students and faculty in preparing graduates who can excel on the global stage,” said Dr. Jonathan Rante Carreon, the Vice President for Academic Affairs of Huachiew Chalermprakiet University. “Winning against graduate-level teams from leading state universities in China, Singapore, and Thailand is proof that HCU’s strategic direction toward becoming a Sustainability University is on the right path. We are proud that our English and English–Chinese majors can showcase both linguistic excellence and a deep commitment to sustainable development.”

Adding to this, the Team Captain shared his perspective:
“At first, we were nervous going up against Master’s and PhD students from such big universities,” said Haritt,a third-year English major at HCU. “But our teamwork, preparation, and belief in our message gave us the confidence to win. This victory proves that even a small private university like HCU can stand tall on the international stage.”

Behind this remarkable success was the strong support of the administration and faculty members of HCU’s Faculty of Liberal Arts, together with the tireless efforts of the debate coaches — Dr. Jonathan, Dr. Chiara, and Ajarn Derey — who guided the students throughout their preparation. The team also expressed gratitude to the HCU Library Directress, who provided the practice venue and support that contributed to their outstanding performance.

The HCU team received 30,000 THB in cash and a prestigious trophy. The achievement underscores HCU’s growing strength in English language education, particularly among English major and English–Chinese major students, while aligning with the university’s Strategic Plan to transform into a Sustainability University.