A UIUC team has competed and distinguished themselves for the first time ever at a regional Model Arab League (MAL) competition. MAL is a diplomatic simulation and leadership development program designed to give students insights into the Middle East and Arab world, as well as build critical leadership skills such as public speaking, writing, and negotiation. On February 15-17, 2024, the team of 7 participated as the Sultanate of Oman at the Ohio Valley conference in Bloomington, IN. The team was led by Awad Awad, Director of the Salaam Middle East and North African Cultural Center, along with the participation and coordinating assistance of CSAMES Outreach and Program Coordinator Maha Chahine. According to Maha, “Despite forming as a team last minute and with little time to fully prepare, our team did an amazing job with one committee earning 'outstanding delegation' the highest award given." 

Two students, Rosette Pavkov & Rex Sokanaki, won the outstanding delegations for the Social Committee. 

The Keynote speaker was Ambassador Majid Abdulaziz, the permanent representative of the League of Arab States to the United Nations.

CSAMES supported the MAL with funding from the U.S. Department of Education Title VI grant.