Organisers hope this year's debates demonstrate certain key elements in the course of the three-day festival.

"I hope that rationality, clear ideas and merit will be reflected in the debate festival," said DU pro vice chancellor professor AFM Yusuf Haider, who is also the event's chief adviser.

The theme of the debate festival is 'Muktir michhile juktir slogan, ghuche jaak manchitrer obhiman.' It is expected to attract more than one thousand participants made up of different schools, colleges and universities in the country.

Eight model debates will be presented by renowned speakers who also will teach the art of debating. They include parliamentary, traditional, fun, United Nations, English and locality based ones.

Besides, there will be motivational speeches that focus on a whole of social issues like anti-drug awareness, role of family, education and the need to eliminate adoption of unfair means in exams for building a meritorious generation.

The programme kicks off with a mock rally demanding 'electoral debate before general elections'. Fisheries and Livestock Minister Abdullah Al Noman is expected to lead the procession. The following day Information Minister M Shamsul Islam formally declares the festival open. Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad Barrister Jamir Uddin Sircar will preside over the closing session.

The other highlights of the debate festival include 'meet the personalities', talk shows on the role of debates in parliamentary democracy, cultural programmes, film shows and a campfire.

Speaking to Star City Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury, chairman of the festival, said: "We hope to set up a fund whereby we can promote such programmes at the Dhaka University in future."

This is the first time that a diverse range of debating styles and topics will be showcased under one roof.