Nine UST students represented the United Arab Emirates on April 4 and 5 at the first Model Arab League conference in the Southwest region, which was held on the University campus. Laura Adal, Maurielle Balczon, Diana Caicedo, Hayat El-Bereir, Nora Hall, Sheza Hamdy, Ashley Mosing, Deanna Soileau and Catherine Wargo familiarized themselves with the foreign policy agenda of their nation’s government and researched all aspects of their country as well as the its allies and interests in the region as they competed against other teams representing various states within the Arab League. The UST team placed in third, receiving an honorable mention.

 

Sixty students from universities across the region competed in the event, which was organized by the Bilateral U.S. – Arab Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by the Center for International Studies and the Cameron School of Business.

 

The Model Arab League is the student leadership development program of the National Council on U.S.-Arab Relations. Similar to Model United Nations, but more limited in its focus and scope, the Model Arab League offers students the opportunity to learn about the Arab world and how governments interact while honing skills in negotiation, communication and conflict resolution.

 

Pictured Above:

From left to right: Sheza Hamdy, Hayat El-Bereir, Nora Hall, Laura Adal, Ashley Mosing, Dr. Nivien Saleh, Maurielle Balczon, Dr. Bahman Mirshab, Diana Caicedo, Deanna Soileau, Catherine Wargo.