Med student hones his debating skills in Oxford


June, 2007
Khalid Al Mohannadi receives his certificate of achievement from Dr. Alonso.
The Radcliffe Camera, part of the Bodleian Library in
Oxford. Photograph courtesy of Fouad Otaki.

For the first time the popular Doha Debates were held outside of Qatar at the world famous debating society of Oxford University, and WCMC-Q medical student, Fouad Otaki, was there.

Nominated by Student Affairs to represent WCMC-Q, Fouad was one of 12 high school and university students from Qatar chosen to spend a week in early May in the United Kingdom accompanying the Doha Debates team.

The students got a behind the scenes look at the Doha Debates, attended debating workshops at the Oxford Union, and sat in the audience of the first Doha Debate to be held outside Qatar. Two-thirds of the student audience approved a motion claiming that Israel's supporters are stifling Western debate about Israel's actions.

The Tamayoz Awards, organized by Harvard Medical School Dubai Center, recognize excellence in medical research and outstanding accomplishments in clinical care.
Somerset House, London. Photograph courtesy of Fouad Otaki.

Speakers at the debate included Norman Finkelstein, an American academic, Dr. Martin Indyk, former US Ambassador to Israel, and acclaimed journalists Andrew Cockburn and David Aaronovitch.

Keen to have a break between his second year of the Medical Program and his step 1 exam, Fouad was thrilled to be nominated.

"It was such an interesting experience," he said. "Oxford is a place I've heard a lot about. Professional debating really is an art form. It's something I'm an amateur at so it was great to be given the opportunity to develop those skills."

Karl Migally and Eshanjit Sapra perform at the Diplomatic Club for fellow students, faculty and staff.
Christ Church, Oxford, where the Harry Potter movies
were filmed. Photograph courtesy of Fouad Otaki.

Fouad and the other students also got the chance to explore the historical academic city of Oxford, and see the sights of London, including a tour around the Houses of Parliament by the first Muslim Lord in the UK, Lord Ahmed.

Back in Qatar Fouad attended the Doha Debates gala dinner at Al Sharq Village Hotel and Spa to mark the end of their third successful season of debates, and also gave the President of the Oxford Union, Alex Just, a tour around the WCMC-Q campus.