Indian Graduate from Kolkata Part of Winning Team in UK’s ‘University Challenge

GG News Bureau
London, 9th April. Sourajit Debnath, a computational science graduate from Kolkata, was part of the triumphant Imperial College London quiz team that clinched the champion’s trophy in the prestigious ‘University Challenge’, hailed as television’s toughest quiz tournament in the UK.

The 31-year-old Debnath showcased his intellect by answering numerous challenging questions during the final, attributing the team’s victory to the outstanding mentorship provided by Imperial’s Quiz Society and the guidance from previous teams. The team’s win, broadcasted on BBC on Monday night, marked Imperial College London’s fifth triumph in the history of the show, with the last victory secured in 2022.

Expressing his elation, Debnath stated, “I feel elated to be a part of British quizzing history and grateful that our team had the opportunity to clinch the title while representing Imperial.”

Amol Rajan, the British Indian presenter of the programme, lauded Imperial’s victory as “remarkable”, underscoring the team’s exceptional performance.

The team, comprising diverse talents from Imperial College London, was honored with the ‘University Challenge’ trophy by Amol Rajan and renowned playwright Sir Tom Stoppard at an event held at Imperial College London’s South Kensington Campus.

Professor Ian Walmsley, Imperial’s Provost, commended the team’s remarkable achievement, emphasizing their well-rounded knowledge extending beyond science. He remarked, “Their breadth of knowledge well beyond science is truly impressive, and their disciplined approach to the quiz has made history for Imperial as University Challenge’s most successful team.”

The team, led by Suraiya Haddad, prepared extensively for the challenge, dedicating months to revising their specialist subjects and practicing quizzes collaboratively.

Debnath, who has a background in space science from India’s U R Rao Space Centre, contributed to the team’s success with his expertise in maths, physics, and general science. His journey from space scientist to computational science graduate at Imperial College London exemplifies his versatility and dedication to academic excellence.

Imperial College London credited its continued success in the ‘University Challenge’ to the expertise of past teams, highlighting the mentorship program where previous contestants coach current participants on various subjects and strategies for the competition.