NSU’s Model United Nations Team Earns Multiple Awards at Regional Competition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FORT LAUDERDALE-DAVIE, Fla. – Nova Southeastern University’s (NSU) Model United Nations Team, sponsored by the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, delivered a model performance at the Southern Regional Model United Nations (SRMUN) conference recently in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Competing amongst more than 1,000 students representing about 40 schools, students from the Nova International Relations Association (NIRA) earned several awards for their ability to handle hypothetical United Nations issues with diplomacy while remaining “in character” throughout the process.

NIRA head researcher Desiree Kennedy, an Honors political science and legal studies double major at the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences, competed in SRMUN’s inaugural International Court of Justice simulation. Kennedy was one of just nine students selected from more than 100 applicants to participate as legal counsel. Kennedy won her case unanimously—the only delegate to do so—and was voted “Most Diplomatic” by her peers in the simulation. Moreover, Kennedy earned the conference award for Best Counter Memorial, an award recognizing skill in writing a legal case response.

Secretary Linea Cutter, an Honors political science and history double major, and President Rehan Sherali, a political science major, earned the Outstanding Delegation Award in the United Nations Population Fund Committee. This is the highest award within a committee and akin to first place. Additionally, Cutter and Sherali scored a 98% on their position paper, a best for NIRA.

Vanessa Duboulay, a political science major, was selected from dozens of applicants to serve as chair of the General Assembly Plenary. Duboulay earned the honor after completing successful interviews with conference organizers and demonstrating a mastery of parliamentary procedure and an intimate knowledge of the rules.

Also representing NIRA at the conference were Marco Baez and Vice-President Mei Po Ho, international studies majors; Treasurer Andrew Jones, political science and legal studies double major; and Nadim Visram, political science major. As a team, NIRA also earned an Honorable Mention award for its standout representation of Brazil.

“Given the number of schools competing, the small size of our group in comparison to others, and the fact NIRA is only in its second year of existence, earning the Honorable Mention award was a great feat,” said G. Nelson Bass III, J.D., Ph.D., assistant professor at the college and faculty adviser for NIRA. “Only a handful of overall delegation awards are given at each conference. For NSU to be recognized in this way is a tremendous achievement.”

SRMUN is the largest Model UN conference in the South, attracting a wide range of colleges and universities, from community colleges to small liberal arts schools to large public universities. NSU’s team represented one of the smallest groups, though competed among schools as large as the University of Oklahoma and the University of Kansas. Many of the schools’ teams included between 30 and 40 delegates.

Get Involved with NSU’s Model UN Team
NIRA membership is open to all NSU undergraduate students interested in understanding global issues and willing to help raise awareness of the role diplomacy can play in solving pressing global issues.

For more information, contact NIRA faculty adviser G. Nelson Bass III, J.D., Ph.D.

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About the Nova Southeastern University Model United Nations Team: The Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences sponsors the NSU Model United Nations Team: the Nova International Relations Association (NIRA). NIRA accepts student members from any undergraduate major at NSU. Model United Nations is an academic simulation of the world’s only international organization dedicated to international peace, security, and development. At simulations, Model UN student participants act as delegates, representing different member nations in confronting global issues concerning war and peace, poverty and development, and social and political problems. Students are judged on their ability to stay “in character” and to use diplomacy and compromise to fashion solutions to problems.

About the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences: Set among Nova Southeastern University’s 18 academic centers is the Farquhar College of Arts and Sciences. Choose from 36 undergraduate majors, 53 undergraduate minors, 3 certificate programs, and 2 graduate degree programs. Customize delivery formats with day, night, or online classes. The academic experience at the college is profound and inspiring. Our smaller class sizes offer you personalized contact with professors, chances for active participation, and individualized support-all to help you achieve academic success. Our outstanding faculty is composed of accomplished scholars committed to academic excellence. Unlike those at many large universities, classes at the college are taught by the faculty members themselves, not teaching assistants. The average class size is 22 students, which means more personal attention from faculty, as well as a greater opportunity to connect with other bright students.

About Nova Southeastern University: Situated on 314 beautiful acres in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Nova Southeastern University (NSU) is a dynamic fully accredited research institution dedicated to providing high-quality educational programs at all levels.  NSU is a not-for-profit independent institution with 27,000 students. NSU awards associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, doctoral and first-professional degrees in a wide range of fields. NSU is classified as a research university with “high research activity” by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, and it is one of only 37 universities nationwide to also be awarded Carnegie’s Community Engagement Classification. For more information, please visit www.nova.edu.  Celebrating 50 years of academic excellence!

Media Contact:
Felecia Henderson, Ed.D. | Office of Public Affairs
954-262-5315 (office) | 954-383-4695 (cell)
fhenders@nova.edu

 

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