HKUST Student Reaches Grand Final of International Public Speaking Competition
HKUST student Vasantha Subramanian reached the grand final of the second annual World Universities Public Speaking Invitational Championship, held at the University of Macau from August 27 to 31, 2026. Her achievement, supported by preparation and coaching from HKUST’s Center for Language Education (CLE), placed her among leading student speakers from 26 universities across five continents.
Organized as part of the University of Macau’s 45th anniversary celebrations, the championship promoted intercultural exchange and the development of students’ public speaking, critical-thinking, and communication skills. Under the theme “Fostering Culture and Diversity through Technology,” participants explored how technological innovation can connect communities, promote inclusion, and contribute to a more diverse and sustainable future.
The programme included public-speaking workshops, a semi-final round, and the grand final. Workshops led by competition judges covered storytelling techniques and strategies for managing nerves in high-pressure situations, giving participants practical guidance as they prepared for the competition.
In the semi-final, Vasantha competed against representatives from universities including The Chinese University of Hong Kong and University of Oxford. Her careful preparation, confident delivery, and clear communication enabled her to advance to the final as one of the round’s top-performing speakers.
Throughout the competition, Vasantha was supported by Mr Martin Eastwood, Lecturer at CLE, who accompanied her during the event and provided guidance and feedback as she prepared for the different demands of each stage.
The final required contestants to deliver a prepared speech of three to four minutes on the competition theme, followed by a two-minute response to a randomly assigned impromptu question. Vasantha demonstrated her ability to think on her feet, engaging the audience while communicating complex ideas clearly and accessibly.
Beyond the competition, participants and coaches took part in a high-table dinner with members of the University of Macau’s management and a cultural tour of Macau, providing further opportunities for exchange among students from different regions and backgrounds.
The competition was won by Edward Daniel Belza Alfaro of the University of Macau. Emily Zhang of Harvard University was named first runner-up, while Rasee Kachchakaduge of the University of British Columbia received the second runner-up award.
Vasantha’s achievement reflects her dedication, resilience, and ability to communicate with confidence on an international stage. CLE is proud to have supported her journey and to continue nurturing students as articulate, globally minded communicators.
Vasantha Subramanian Introduction Video: Vasantha Subramanian Introduction video.mov
Live streaming video from competition organizer: https://youtu.be/gIbSLBIsYWE (1:18:52-1:22:55)
