The Georgia Southern University Model Arab League received four top awards in their first-ever appearance at the Florida Regional Model Arab League at the University of South Florida Feb. 9.

The MAL represents a variety of different interests, ranging from economics to international studies majors. Students learn about the politics and history of the Arab world and the arts of diplomacy and public speech.

At this conference, the team represented Bahrain, Palestine, and Qatar in the Joint Defense and Political Affairs Council.

GS students Granville Winkjer and Hannah Johnston each earned The Outstanding Delegation Award for their representation of Qatar in the Joint Defense Council.

Team treasurer Bruce Honaker and team president Emily Krout each earned The Best Delegation Award for their representation of Palestine in the Political Affairs Council.

“Our team serves to train students to learn lifelong skills for any major, and as a new team, our success from winning the Best Delegation and Outstanding Delegation award shows the willingness of our students to take advantage of this program,” Krout said via email. “The successes of Model Arab League in Tampa is a testament to the hard work of Georgia Southern’s students and the tireless aid of its advisers, Jacek Lubecki and Youssef Salhi.”

Memebers of the MAL have access to paid internships in Washington D.C, job offers, paid study abroad visits and a possibility to network with the President of U.S-Arab Relations.

Krout was sent on a study visit to The Kingdom Of Saudi Arabia and former president Tony Hudson was offered a job to work as a secretary for the President of the National Council.

The team is working towards attending the National competition in Washington D.C in Fall 2018.

Shiann Sivell, The George-Anne Daily Reporter, gadigital@georgiasouthern.edu