| From left to right: Model African Union team members Nigel Smith, Olivia Withers, Sarita Smith, Nicole Harrison, and faculty advisors Dr. Otilia Iancu and Dr. Emmanuel Nojang. |
Savannah State University’s (SSU) Model African Union
(AU) Student Organization members recently won five out of 10 awards at the 24th
Southeast Model African Union Conference (SEMAU) hosted at Georgia College and
State University.
The three-day conference on African
affairs gave students an opportunity to learn about diplomacy, conflict
resolution, leadership and government organizations, and all facets of African
life.
“I had a wonderful time exchanging ideas
and learning how to work with others who have different opinions. This is an
experience I will never forget,” Political Science major Oliva Withers said. “I
am very excited to be a member of the Model African Union and this experience
has left me with better leadership and public speaking skills. I encourage all
students to join the Model African Union!”
Out of 11 University System of Georgia
institutions, Savannah State University tied with Georgia College and Georgia
State University for the number of awards won. Junior Computer Science major
Nigel Smith won both the Outstanding Delegate Leadership-in-Committee Award and
Outstanding Delegation Award for the delegation of Cabo Verde. Master of Public
Administration student Nicole Harrison was also awarded Outstanding Delegate
Leadership-in-Committee in addition to Honorable Mention Delegation for the delegation of Madagascar.
Juniors Sarita Smith and Olivia Withers, Political Science majors, also won
Outstanding Delegate Leadership-in-Committee.
From left to right: Model African Union students Nigel Smith, Nicole Harrison, H.E. Carlos Dos Santos, former Ambassador of Mozambique, H.E. Frederic Edem Hegbe, Ambassador of Togo, Model African Union Olivia Withers, Sarita Smith and faculty advisor Dr. Otilia Iancu.
In addition to AU student organizations, former ambassadors of Mozambique, Nigeria, and the current ambassador of African Union to the United States of America Hilda Suka-Mafudz were in attendance. The Ambassador of The Republic of Togo, Mr. Frédéric Edem HEGBE served as keynote speaker.
SSU’s Model AU plans to attend the 20th
Annual International Model African Union Conference on February 24 - 27, 2022
in Washington D.C.
Established in 2004, Savannah State University’s
Model African Union Student Organization attends regional and national
conferences organized to simulate debates at the African Union. Through Model
AU, students experience accurate representations of African Diplomacy and are
skilled in public speaking and debating.