(MENAFN - Muscat Daily) Higher College of Technology (HCT) won the first inter-college environmental public speaking competition held on Sunday.Organised by the Environment Society of Oman (ESO) in association with Emirates Environmental Group (EEG), the competition saw the participation of 55 students from colleges and universities in Muscat and Nizwa.The winning team, Manahel Abdullah al Qarnia, Suleiman Khalfan al Rahbi, Amal Khalfan al Mamaria and Al Khaleel Ahmed al Rahbi from HCT, spoke on Social media and the environment: How far could it go to protect the environment?', highlighting how social media can be used as an effective tool in environmental conservation.The team impressed the judges with the scientific research methods they used to collect data and the practicality of the methods they suggested to further environmental conservation efforts.The competition was held under the patronage of H H Dr Sayyida Mona bint Fahad al Said, assistant vice chancellor for external cooperation, Sultan Qaboos University, and also attended by ESO patron H H Sayyid Tarik bin Shabib al Said.Addressing the students, H H Sayyida Tania bint Shabib al Said, president, ESO, said, ''Today's youths are the future campaigners of the environment. The aim behind the competition is to understand the environmental challenges facing the planet. This competition will also help students to showcase their talent and commitment to nature.''Habiba al Marashi, chairperson of EEG, said that similar public speaking competitions have become popular among students in UAE. ''The event will help students and youths, who are tomorrow's citizens, to make an impact in preserving nature.''The competition was held in several categories such as water conservation, climate change, consumerism and its effects on environment, and social media's role in environment conservation. The winning team will participate in the regional-level competition to be held in UAE from November 28.
