Srinagar: In a significant step towards promoting intellectual and academic discourse, SKIMS Medical College, Bemina, inaugurated its Debate Club on October 9, 2025, with an engaging inaugural debate competition on the topic “In the Age of Artificial Intelligence, Will Doctors Become Redundant?” The event witnessed enthusiastic participation, thought-provoking arguments, and an impressive display of oratory skills from students of the institution.
The programme commenced with a welcome address by Sahil Farooq, Academic Secretary of the CASS Union, who introduced the audience to the vision and objectives behind the formation of the Debate Club. This was followed by Dr. Beenish Mushtaq, Faculty In-Charge Debate Club, who highlighted the importance of nurturing debating culture in medical education as a means to enhance critical thinking, clarity of communication, and ethical reasoning.
Principal SKIMS Medical College Bemina Dr. Fazlul Qadir Parray then addressed the gathering, commending the initiative and lauding the students for their enthusiasm. He reflected on the vital role of communication and dialogue in the medical profession, emphasizing that the ability to reason, persuade, and listen empathetically is as essential to a doctor’s practice as clinical skill. He urged students to engage with contemporary issues beyond textbooks, to become well-rounded professionals prepared for the evolving landscape of medicine.
The debate was conducted in a modified Cambridge format, with. Mustaqeem Afaq serving as Chairperson and. Adiba Farooq as Timekeeper. The Proposition team, consisting of.Hibba Ishaq, Mr. Mohammad Izhaan Rather and Asra Sohail, argued in favour of the motion, while the Opposition team, comprising. Hamad Wani, Lubab Zehra, and Ms. Krishna Sahu, presented compelling counterarguments .
The distinguished panel of judges—Dr. Shams-ul-Bari (Department of Surgery), Dr. Afiya Shafi (Professor &Head, Department of Pathology), and Dr. Yasmeen Jan (Department of Community Medicine)—evaluated the speakers on content, clarity, delivery, and rebuttal. After an intellectually charged session, the Opposition emerged victorious, with. LubabZehra being adjudged the Best Speaker of the competition.
The audience also engaged actively during the interactive session, posing insightful questions that further enriched the debate. Associate Dean, Professor Ajaz A. Rather, in his address following the commencement of the debate, underscored the importance of empathy in clinical practice and cautioned against the growing detachment seen in modern medical care, reminding students that compassion remains central to the art of healing.
The event concluded with a felicitation ceremony where Principal Dr. Fazlul Qadir Parray, Associate Dean Dr Ajaz A. Rather, and Dr. Ashfaq A. Bhat (Head, Department of Community Medicine) presented certificates to all participants
Dr. Beenish Mushtaq, Faculty In-Charge Debate Club expressed gratitude to all participants, faculty members and students for their enthusiastic involvement The inauguration of the Debate Club marks a milestone in the college’s academic and extracurricular development, reaffirming SKIMS Medical College’s commitment to fostering articulate, thoughtful, and socially conscious medical professionals.
