The Buea Universities Debate and Technology Championship (BUDeTeC 2025) was successfully held from 17–19 July 2025 in Molyko, Buea, bringing together some of Cameroon’s brightest university minds for three days of debate, public speaking, and technological innovation.
Organized by the Baseline Orators Network (BON), BUDeTeC 2025 was designed as a youth empowerment platform that blended intellectual discourse, leadership development, and tech-driven problem-solving, all aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Despite notable financial and logistical challenges, the championship stood out as a dynamic and impactful initiative, reaffirming the resilience, creativity, and collaborative spirit of Cameroonian youth.
A Platform for Ideas, Innovation, and Leadership
BUDeTeC 2025 convened over 50 students from 8 universities and higher institutions across Cameroon, alongside representatives of debate and public speaking associations. The event uniquely combined:
- British Parliamentary–style debates
- A competitive public speaking contest
- A high-intensity 24-hour hackathon
- Social and networking engagements
Through these components, participants explored real-world African and global challenges while proposing practical, youth-led solutions.
Key Objectives of BUDeTeC 2025
The championship was guided by four core objectives:
- To foster critical thinking and structured debate on pressing African and global issues
- To inspire youth-led technological innovation and entrepreneurship
- To promote awareness of and action toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- To strengthen inter-university youth networks across Cameroon
Public Speaking: Pitching Solutions for Sustainable Development
The public speaking semifinals challenged participants to pitch innovative ideas directly linked to the SDGs. Key themes included:
- Innovation & Education: Pitching an app designed to solve online learning challenges and attract potential investors
- Climate Action: Proposing strategies to reduce plastic packaging for companies such as Boissons du Cameroun
- Youth Leadership: Presenting proposals for a youth innovation hub to the United Nations for funding and collaboration
These sessions tested participants’ clarity, persuasion, and strategic thinking, while encouraging solution-oriented leadership.
Competitive Debates on Africa’s Future
The debate competition adopted the British Parliamentary format, elevating discourse on key continental and global issues. Motions covered themes such as:
- Decent work and inequality
- Sustainable cities and communities
- Gender equality
- Economic growth and governance
- Quality education
- Africa’s role in global politics
Debaters demonstrated strong analytical depth, teamwork, and advocacy skills, reflecting the growing culture of competitive debating within Cameroonian universities.
The 24-Hour Hackathon: Reimagining Education with AI
One of the highlights of BUDeTeC 2025 was the 24-hour hackathon, where participants were tasked with envisioning AI-powered solutions to transform education in Cameroon.
Teams were challenged to:
- Develop a working model demonstrating innovative uses of artificial intelligence
- Address systemic barriers to equitable learning access
- Present clear metrics for impact, scalability, and feasibility
- Pitch their solutions with confidence and creativity
Participants were encouraged to challenge assumptions and propose bold, transformative approaches to learning in Cameroon.
Networking and Social Engagement
Beyond competition, BUDeTeC 2025 emphasized community building and collaboration. Networking dinners and informal social sessions allowed participants, judges, and guests to exchange ideas, build professional connections, and explore future collaborations across institutions.
Participating Institutions
BUDeTeC 2025 successfully brought together students from the following institutions:
- University of Buea
- Redemption Higher Institute of Biomedical and Management Sciences (RHIBMS), Buea
- Chitechma University, Buea
- Biaka University Institute of Buea (BUIB)
- Higher Institute of Management Studies (HIMS), Buea
- University of Yaounde I – Polytechnic
- University of Dschang
- Maflekumen Higher Institute of Health Sciences (MHIHS), Tiko
The presence of debate and public speaking associations further enriched the diversity and quality of engagement.
Challenges Faced
While impactful, BUDeTeC 2025 encountered several challenges:
- Sponsorship withdrawals, which affected logistics and the prize pool
- Waived registration fees, with only 12 out of 50 participants contributing financially
- Limited funding, delaying professional media coverage and cash prize disbursement
- Severe rainfall on 17 July 2025, which blocked roads and delayed the opening session from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., pushing parts of the programme into subsequent days
Despite these setbacks, the organizing team and participants demonstrated remarkable adaptability.
Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
The experience of BUDeTeC 2025 provided valuable insights for future editions:
- The importance of early, legally binding sponsorship agreements
- The need for financial backup plans and tiered participation fees
- Stronger inter-team communication for effective planning and reporting
- Aligning event scope more closely with available resources
Looking forward, the Baseline Orators Network plans to:
- Begin fundraising 3–6 months in advance
- Implement tiered registration fees with partial waivers
- Focus on fewer but more reliable partners, including in-kind sponsorships
- Establish a BUDeTeC Alumni Network to sustain engagement, mentorship, and feedback
Building Africa’s Next Generation of Thinkers and Innovators
BUDeTeC 2025 reaffirmed the power of debate, technology, and collaboration as tools for youth empowerment. By creating a space where ideas meet action, the championship continues to shape a new generation of critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders committed to Africa’s sustainable future.
As BUDeTeC evolves, it stands as a strong example of how youth-led platforms can drive national development through dialogue and innovation.