IPAM becomes a member of Model UN Conference

By Sailu Bah Institute of Professional Administration and Management (IPAM), a tertiary institution, is now part of the Model United Nations Conference for the first time in the Gambia. IPAM would be sending 12 delegates to attend the International Conference in Washington DC in October/November 2014 on behalf of the Gambia to be trained on various aspects of diplomacy. During the inaugural ceremony of the Model UN Conference at the IPAM on Saturday, 30^th August, 2014, Mr. Emmanual Borbor –Deen, the proprietor of IPAM College, expressed gratitude for the opportunity, adding that the Model UN conference created by the international community is an institution that extends its values. He said thousands of young people from different parts of the world come together in Washington. He said it would be of interest to both the institutions and students to be part of this internationally recognized conference. Mr. A.P.K McCarthy, Coordinator, Model UN-IPAM the Gambia, gave an introduction on how IPAM National Model United Nations came to IPAM. He said some 5 to 6 years ago he as a coordinator used to take students at the school level to go and attend the conference in the US. He said later he decided to expand it to the tertiary level as it is important for the Gambia and West Africa at large. Mr. McCarthy said there is a policy in place which mandates them as coordinators to make sure that all delegates come back to their various countries after attending the conference. For his part, H.E. Soulay Daramy, Sierra Leone High Commissioner to the Gambia, said this is an opportunity which makes him feel very proud to be associated with. He thanked the government for giving IPAM the conducive environment to operate, adding that he is very impressed with the courses on offer at IPAM. High Commissioner Daramy further urged IPAM to improve on their courses in order to be part of the international world standard and that it is a great opportunity for students of IPAM and young people to make the best use of. “Opportunity lost is hard to regain, take the advantage, study hard and the benefit from studying hard cannot be overemphasized.” Mr. Felix .O. Omotosho, a Lecturer at the University of the Gambia, in his keynote address, emphasized the importance of the Model UN conference which he said attracts youth to develop a career on negotiations and diplomacy among other things. He said the UN serves as the parent body to many other bodies and accommodate various programs. Concluding, he said young people should see IPAM as a relevant institution and make the best use of the opportunities, adding that in order to become a diplomat you need education, leadership skills and discipline. Muhammad Bah, Secretary General, Model UN-IPAM, in his closing remarks, thanked everyone for attending the occasion. He added that the conference would help them as young people to develop their skills in their academic trainings as well as help in opening opportunities to the wider world. He added that private institutions in this country need to be acknowledged for the good work they are doing in developing young people through education.  ]]>