Model Arab League Competitors Head to Egypt
12/03/2010
By
Sandra SeitzThe International Relations Club (IRC), founded by Prof. Emeritus Dean Bergeron, has a long, proud history in Model Arab League competitions.
Rebuilding the Team
But they’re in the second year of rebuilding after a long hiatus, as the students slowly gain experience. Facing delegations from Columbia, Harvard and West Point at the recent Northeast Regional competition, they knew they’d have to reach deep.
“Our delegates did an outstanding job and the team received the Honorable Delegation Award for its representation of Syria,” says the club’s faculty adviser, Assoc. Prof. Ardeth Thawnghmung of the Sociology Department.
“This achievement is commendable not only because UMass Lowell was the only state school in attendance," she said, "but also because it was the first conference for 75 percent of the delegation.”
Individual Achievements
Nine students also won individual awards for their work in the various League councils that discuss such issues as joint defense or environmental concerns.
The 21-member IRC team comprises students from a wide variety of majors, including political science, economics, business, psychology, mechanical engineering and sound recording technology.
On to Egypt
Next on the IRC game plan is preparation for a large international competition in Cairo, Egypt.
“The students hope to build bridges between our University and the American University in Cairo, doing their part to expand the global focus of our campus,” says Thawnghmung.