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UT Tyler Model United Nations Program Continues to Shine

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May 2, 2014

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

May 2, 2014

 

Students in The University of Texas at Tyler Model United Nations were recognized at two national conferences this semester, Dr. Martin Slann, College of Arts and Sciences dean, announced.

At the Southern Regional Model United Nations Conference in Charlotte, N.C., the UT Tyler delegation represented the Russian Federation and received an “Outstanding Position Papers Award” for its superior preparation and research. The group also was named an “Honorable Mention Delegation” for its leadership and collaboration efforts in the various committees simulated at the conference.

Delegation members were Rebecca Jackson of Big Sandy, Melissa Nelson of S.C., Kristen Schmorleitz of Dallas, Kayla Bello of Houston, Gerardo Viera of Mesquite, Salman Siddiqi of Austin and Mariam Bojang and Ndey Awa Badjie, both of The Gambia.

The three-day conference brought together more than 300 students from more than 20 schools to address topics of importance to the international community.

UT Tyler students also participated in the National Model United Nations-New York Conference and represented The Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

Each year, more than 5,000 students from five continents convene in New York to participate in NMUN-NY, making this conference the largest and one of the most prestigious collegiate Model United Nations simulations in the world.

In recognition of their excellence in committee, the UT Tyler delegation received the “Distinguished Delegation Award,” one of three awards presented to the top delegations attending the conference. The award is based on teamwork, leadership, speaking and negotiating abilities, knowledge of the issues and proper use of procedure rules.

Delegation members were Jackson, Nelson, Schmorleitz, Siddiqi, Bojang, Badjie, Joshua Bradley of Chandler and Isatou Sagnia of The Gambia.

In addition, Badjie, Bojang, Sagnia and Siddiqi also won the “Outstanding Position Papers” Award for their exemplary work during conference preparations.

Badjie and Bojang were recognized for their work on the General Assembly Second Committee, while Sagnia and Siddiqi were recognized for the paper they wrote for the General Assembly Fourth Committee. This award is presented to the delegates that submit the best papers in committee based on professional writing style, ability to clearly articulate the positions of their assigned country and thoroughness of research.

Throughout both conference proceedings, the UT Tyler delegates had the opportunity to hone their leadership, speaking, writing and negotiation skills.

The continued success of the UT Tyler delegation in New York comes on the heels of the program’s outstanding performance at the NMUN-Korea Conference held November 2013 in Incheon, South Korea.

The UT Tyler Model UN Program is currently recruiting students for the 2014-15 academic year.

For more information about the UT Tyler Model UN Program, contact Dr. Rachel Bzostek, program director, 903.566.7410 or rbzostek@uttyler.edu.

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 7,500 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.