The Otago University Debating Society (OUDS) has been given a $25,000 grant by vice-chancellor Prof Harlene Hayne to allow it further opportunities to compete on the world stage.
The grant comes after the society outperformed some of the top debating societies in the world over the past six months, a team made up of students Alec Dawson and Kieran Bunn making the top four at this year's World Universities Debating Championship.
Prof Hayne, in a statement earlier to student magazine Critic, said she was proud to support the society and the money would help the society compete in several major international debating events this year.
The society put Otago University on the ''world stage as a top-ranking debating institution'' and performed an ''outstanding community service'' in secondary school debate competitions in Dunedin.
''The university regards these debating teams as excellent ambassadors for Otago. I am very proud to support them,'' she said.
The society was the first group to apply for competition and event funding through the vice-chancellor's office, which has otherwise given funding to individual students competing in overseas events.
Under the terms of the grant, the debating team must provide receipts for all of the money spent.
