State University of Malang (UM) sends its best debate team to go to the national level. The runner-up position was achieved by UM in this year's Indonesian Student Debate Competition (KDMI), after competing in a period of five days (14-19 / 07). In the implementation of KDMI 2019, Universitas Airlangga (Unair) Surabaya was chosen as the host. As many as 112 participants from all over Indonesia took part in this debate competition so the competition was quite fierce. The first rank was won by the Bogor Agricultural University (IPB) while the third rank was won by Universitas Brawijaya (UB) Malang which is UM's rival since the regional selection in East Java. The UM team consisting of the three best students, namely Jodhi Febrian (FPPSi), Laksamana Fadian Zuhad Ramadhan (FS), and Sofia Ari Murti (FS), advanced to the national selection stage under the guidance of Aji Bagus Priyambodo, S.Psi., M .Psi.
Routinely held by the Directorate General of Learning and Student Affairs every year, this competition is able to provide space for students to develop according to their potential. This activity is a positive event for students to show their ability to communicate and think critically and to increase the confidence of the debate participants. Students not only reveal issues that have become problems, but provide the best solutions to real problems faced today. There is a selection stage that the debate team must pass in order to reach the national level. Starting from the regional selection, UM was able to set aside 24 debate teams from State Universities (PTN) and Private Universities (PTS) throughout East Java so that they could move to the National level. This regional selection was held at the University of Muhammadiyah Malang on (28-30 / 07).
In the national debate there are five preliminary rounds which are held for two days, three rounds on the first day, and the rest are held on the second day. "On the first day there were 3 debates. We only won once with one winning point, it really made my mentality and my friends down. But I have a team and coaches who encourage me, until finally I'm ready for the second day, "said Sofia. In the round of 16, UM managed to sit in ninth position and had to fight Diponegoro University (Undip). Then in the top 8 the UM Debate Team had to fight Gajah Mada University (UGM) as the Top List that won the most. "After entering the semifinals, one thing we are aiming for is that we want to be included in the KDMI video because if we enter the grandfinal we will be recorded and thank God we will enter the grand final against IPB," said the only female member of the UM Debate Team. During the training, Jodhi, Sofia, and Laksamana did not encounter any serious problems. The problem was when the debate process took place with competitors from other universities throughout Indonesia. Mental and emotional constraints. For five days in a row to get the best results.
Besides that, the key to the success of this debate team is practice. They have started quarantine since February, routinely at least once a week so that they are able to hone their communication and critical thinking skills. The preparations that have been carried out are very much, starting from motion surgery, sharing news every night. "At least every night we discuss things with different content and watch videos about debates," said the beautiful student, Department of English Literature. Rosa