14th R. R. Thomas Inter-College Debate Competition 2026

Shillong Commerce College, in collaboration with the Meghalaya College Teachers’ Association (MCTA), successfully organised the prestigious 14th R. R. Thomas Inter-College Debate Competition on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, at the Main Auditorium of Shillong Commerce College on account of its yearlong Diamond Jubilee Celebration.

The intellectual clash saw vibrant participation from Nine Colleges across the state, deliberating on the timely and topical motion: "The Four Year Undergraduate Programme benefits students more than it burdens them". The house was steered by the Speaker of the Debate, Prof. S. M. Sungoh, Retired Professor, Department of Education, NEHU and former Pro Vice-Chancellor, NEHU. The esteemed panel of judges comprised Dr. Mary Anne Jyrwa (CTE, PGT), Ms. Ibankyntiew Mawrie (Editor in Chief, 4Front Media), and Mr. Eboton Kharkongor (Counsellor, Shlem Jingim Counselling Centre).

In this competition, there were 18 debating delegates from Nine Colleges. The winners of this Competition are:-

Position	Winner	Institution
1st Prize & Best Speaker	Mr. Odawanlangki Sutnga	Kiang Nangbah Government College, Jowai
2nd Prize	Ms. Sneha Das	St. Edmund's College, Shillong
3rd Prize	Mr. Aryan Chetia	St. Anthony's College, Shillong
Humorous Speaker	Mr. Arian Donald Rani	Synod College Shillong
Best Team	Ms. Sneha Das & Mr. Addiel J Surong	St. Edmund's College, Shillong

Following an intensive and intellectually enriching contest, the Debate Competition was concluded with the distribution of prizes and trophies to the meritorious debaters, acknowledging their sharp articulation, critical thinking, and exemplary rhetoric.