CTS wins investment debate

VERNE BURNETT

THE Chaguanas-based CTS College of Business and Computer Science Ltd took the first prize of $9,000, shared among its three-member team, in the final round of the Clash of the Debate Titans 2017 Tertiary Level Debate competition, organised by the TT Securities and Exchange Commission (TTSEC) at the Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies, Valsayn.

The CTS College and the Institute of Law and Academic Studies (ILAS) squared off against each other in the final on November 2, with CTS College arguing for the motion “Be it resolved that in the interest of investor protection the TTSEC’s regulatory focus should be on enforcement.” The Institute of Law and Academic Studies argued against the motion. It was a close finish, with CTS College winning by a slim 28 points, prompting chief judge, Martin Daly, SC, to describe the contest as “a debate between the realists (CTS College) and the academics (ILAS).”

The three members of the CTS College team won $3,000 each, contributed by the stock exchange, to invest in the stock market; Fire HD eight-inch tablets, medals and certificates of participation. The school took away the challenge trophy, which it gets to keep for a year; a champion trophy; and bragging rights.

TTSEC CEO, Hadyn Gittens, who attended the debates from start to finish, commended all the participating institutions and their teams, which, he said, demonstrated improved understanding of the subject matter and the quality of debating. Michelle Persad, CEO of the TT Stock Exchange Ltd, a core sponsor of a portion of the first prize, reinforced the exchange’s focus on continuing progress in the financial markets and the economic development of the country. She listed the opportunities for small and medium-sized enterprises to be listed on the stock exchange and possible future opportunities for online trading in the stock market.

The Clash of the Debate Titans was organised to help raise awareness among tertiary-level students of the importance of the securities industry in the development of the economy. Its objectives were in line with the mandate of the TTSEC to inform and educate the public about the securities industry; spur growth in the market; and enable citizens to make informed investment decisions.