STUDENTS of the Ateneo de Manila University made history when they became the first Filipino team to win in the World Universities Debating Championship held in Madrid, Spain.

BS Applied Mathematics students David Africa and Tobi Leung bested contestants from Bulgaria’s Sofia University, Israel’s Tel Aviv University and Princeton University in the United States during the grand finals.

They debated the philosophical belief Ubuntu “that asserts that people’s identities should be shaped by, and their obligations should primarily owe to, their communities.”

In addition, Leung was named 2nd best speaker while Africa was ranked 8th.

The two Ateneans defeated teams from Harvard University, Princeton University, Stanford University, National University of Singapore, and London School of Economics.

ADMU President Fr. Roberto Yap SJ congratulated Africa and Leung.

“Their win is proof that our debaters can stand head and shoulders above their peers from some of the best universities in the world,” he said.

“Thank you, David and Tobi, for the immense pride you have brought to the Ateneo community, to our nation, and to the Southeast Asia region. Ad majorem Dei gloriam!” Yap said.

Loyola Schools Vice President Maria Luz Vilches also commended the two students.

“May your historic achievement inspire more students to scale ever higher heights of excellence for the betterment of our nation and of the world in these challenging times,” Vilches said.