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USC siblings start group to debate hot topics
A Beerwah brother and sister aiming to stimulate regular discussion and debate among students at the University of the Sunshine Coast will launch a new group on campus on Tuesday 8 March.
Olivia Baberowski, 16, and Huxley Baberowski, 20, will launch Youth Dialectic at the Uni Club from 4.30pm.
“USC is a very personalised uni and academics are generous with their time but I want the tutorials to go for longer,” said Huxley, a former state debating champion who is researching social evolution for his Arts Honours degree.
“This group is a chance to be reflective and keep going with discussions. We’ll bring in experts with different opinions so students can advance their views.”
Olivia said members could also decide future topics and practise their public speaking skills, while making new friends.
She is thriving on university life after enrolling in a Bachelor of Social Science (Psychology) just as she turned 16 in the middle of last year.
“I’m interested in what makes people happy and what motivates them to learn,” she said.
Olivia decided to study Psychology at USC after getting high distinctions in two USC Headstart courses she completed on campus as a high school student.
The keen debater said the Youth Dialectic was more about content than style, with the emphasis on fresh information.
Everyone is welcome on Tuesday for the first topic on education system improvements. Guest speakers will be democratic education expert Derek Sheppard of Booroobin and USC World History Lecturer Dr Marcus Bussey.
Huxley has made the most of opportunities at USC, initially studying a Headstart course in Creative Writing and more recently studying in the United States as part of the University’s GO Program.
– Julie Gatehouse