12 Nov 2018
Doha 12 November 2018. Aspire Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International School of London – Qatar (ISLQ), Middle East International School (MIS), and Stafford Sri-Lankan School Doha (SSLSD) to organize a Model United Nations (MUN) Conference on the 8th and 9th of February 2019. The MoU agreement was signed on behalf of the Aspire Academy by the school principal, Mr. Jassem Al-Jaber along with his counterparts namely MIS’s Principal, Dr. Suzan Bordean, SSLSD’s Principal, Mr. Sivapragasam
The four schools come together to form a group going by the acronym A.I.M.S. which will plan and host the Conference to which more than 60 schools from Qatar have been invited to participate in the Conference.
The MoU aims to facilitate and promote cooperation by raising awareness of the importance of interschool collaboration. Students will participate in a series of debates on international topics including poverty and humanitarian issues. By helping to give students diverse international perspectives on important issues, the Conference further cements Aspire Academy’s commitment to developing its students-athletes into well-educated sports champions. The conference also supports efforts around the region to develop programmes for young people that, through discussion, negotiation, debate, and personal action, help to identify solutions to the problems around the world.
Model United Nations (MUN) takes place in school clubs around the world. It is an extra-curricular activity where students are delegates and represent a country of the world at a conference.
Speaking after the signing of the MoU, Mr. Jassem Al-Jaber said: “We’re aiming to build a collaborative framework to engage different students in a multicultural environment, helping them become acquainted with global issues. The A.I.M.S. Conference will take place at Aspire Academy and will act as a learning opportunity for our students-athletes to enhance their networking and communication skills by collectively tackling pressing global issues.”
MIS’s Principal, Dr. Suzan Bordean, expressed her excitement by saying: “As we celebrate our 25th anniversary in Doha, we’re confident that our students will use this partnership to develop their perspectives on major international issues and enhance their problem-solving and debating skills. The conference will open its doors to 60 schools and all of Qatar’s students are welcome to attend.”
Stafford’s Principal, Mr. Sivapragasam, added that he is thrilled his students will have such an opportunity to mingle with international thinkers in a global setting. Aspire Academy’s MUN Director, The staff member in charge of MUN activities at Aspire Academy, Mr. Edwin Ndungu , made mention of the Academy’s latest extra-curricular activity and its journey so far, “We started MUN at Aspire Academy last year with a handful of students but the number has shot up with 15 students are in the group and already committed to taking part but more than students are coming along with keen interest to be involved. The activity offers students athletes an opportunity to interact, develop and acquire social skills beyond what classroom and sports field normally gives them. Being involved in MUN activities helps build the rounded student which in in line with the holistic education approach with aspire to at our Academy.”