ASD Students Among Top 64 Teams Worldwide in Prestigious International Public Policy Forum

A group of three students from American School Dhahran have earned international recognition by advancing to the top 64 teams in the 25th annual International Public Policy Forum (IPPF), a global debate contest sponsored by the Brewer Foundation and New York University.

The ASD students are the only team from a school in Saudi Arabia to reach this stage, keeping them in contention for an all expenses paid trip to New York City and a grand prize of $10,000.

This year’s competition drew 332 teams from 30 U.S. states and 39 countries, including Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, China and Japan, marking the largest and most internationally diverse qualifying round in IPPF history.

The top 64 teams now enter written single-elimination rounds, exchanging arguments via email to test their research depth and written advocacy skills. This year’s topic addresses one of the world’s most urgent challenges: the global education crisis.

Teams are debating whether “The Group of 20 Nations should levy a global education tax equal to 1 percent of each member country’s gross domestic product to establish a dedicated international organization that supports the provision of universal, free, quality primary and secondary education.”

William A. Brewer III, chairman of the Brewer Foundation and the IPPF advisory board, praised the students’ dedication, saying in a statement, “The 25th anniversary of the IPPF is not just a milestone for the program, it is a celebration of the students who make it extraordinary. These teams represent a generation eager to engage in public discourse and committed to addressing the issues facing the world they will inherit. The enthusiasm these students bring to the competition reflects a desire to make a difference.”

As the written rounds progress, the field will narrow from 64 teams to the final eight. These “Elite 8” teams will be invited to debate in person at New York University School of Law, with the winners receiving the Brewer Cup on April 18, 2026.

ASD is proud to see its students representing Saudi Arabia on a global stage, demonstrating exceptional research, critical thinking and advocacy skills and proving that our students are ready to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges.

Read the original article here: Arab News – “Dhahran-based student trio reach top 64 in prestigious international debate contest”.