Welcome to your space, the place for forging future leaders. The USEK Model United Nations Chapter (UMC) is where the journey begins, a reflection of leadership and public speaking grounded in the principles of Model United Nations. Our goal? Promoting sociopolitical education through international affairs and inter-governmental policies, to shape you into leaders and thinkers. As founder, I can assure you that success is the outcome – so all you have to do is listen to your trainers, engage with the board, and participate in forums. Let’s GO!

Kevin Awkar, MA

Kevin Awkar, MA

Kevin, the founder of the USEK MUN Chapter, brings over 5 years of successful experience as a project manager in nonprofit management and political coordination. He possesses demonstrated leadership skills, collaborating effectively with government officials, directors, and managers. Proficient in strategic operations management, Kevin provides effective answers, solutions, and strategies.

Having earned a master’s degree in Middle Eastern Studies with honors from USEK, he also holds a BA in Political Science from the same institution, applying extensive knowledge to address complex real-world issues.

Kevin is a recipient of both the diplomacy and outstanding delegation awards at the WFUNA International Model United Nations Conference 2019 in New York City, showcasing his commitment to supporting the chapter.

Mission

UMC’s mission is to forge future leaders by developing our member’s knowledge and competencies for diplomatic simulations, and public speaking skills. Moreover, our main purpose is to promote socio-political education through international affairs and inter-governmental policies; hence, shaping students into leaders and thinkers.

Vision

We aim to change the world with one delegate at a time! We believe that MUN is an opportunity for all students to find a new path that can showcase potential and progress. Thus, we envision growing within the USEK community and adding achievements to the portfolio of each member.

Christopher El Murr
Chairperson

Christopher is an inspiring and effective leader with a strong commitment to teamwork and over two years of experience in concept development and implementing developmental programs. A student of clinical psychology at USEK, Christopher has demonstrated academic excellence, marked by a track record of achievements and milestones across various domains.

Chris joined UMC in 2021 and from there on grew to become the head of trainings, then head of programs, and now the chairperson of UMC. Chris aims to lead the board towards collective growth and development so that UMC always stays in a healthy and all-inclusive growth environment. In addition, Chris is a proven problem-solver with strategic capacities and an unwavering readiness to find solutions to overcome obstacles. The key to his success is always believing in the importance of teamwork thanks to the rich and diverse team at UMC.

Joy Topalian
Lead Executive

Joy is a USEK junior studying business management and entrepreneurship. She had been following the entrepreneurial environment and has accomplished several objectives, including but not limited to holding the role of lead executive at UMC and developing Lebanese students’ skills throughout their professional career at IDARA Programme as a member of the founding committee. Promoted from competition organizer to president of the Student Community at the Asher Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (ACIE) and leading a workshop with up to 40 applicants, she completed the FNF & Riyada 4-day summer program on “Revolutionizing Polities: Through the Lens of Technology”, where she won the honorable mention award. Joy’s ambition has kept growing ever since.

Diana Al Hayek
Head of Logistics and Communications

Diana is a third-year biochemistry student at USEK. Her academic journey has been guided by a profound passion for science and seeking knowledge in general.
Diana’s commitment to personal growth and community involvement led her to a journey of self-development at UMC, growing with the chapter to become its head of communications and logistics.
Beyond UMC, she is engaged in several voluntary activities and is the student representative of USEK’s Zahle RUC. In all that she does, she strives to leave an impact on society, advocating for positive change.

Elsa Karam
Head of Programs

Elsa is a third-year biochemistry student at USEK. Besides a keen interest in neuroscience within the pharmaceutical industry, she is also the communications officer for USEK’s ACS Chapter and the head of programs at the USEK Model United Nations Chapter (UMC), which illustrates her leadership, communication, and team-building skills. Elsa’s goal is to make a meaningful impact in the medical field through scientific advancements.

Tony Hayek
Head of Trainings

Tony El Hayek is a dynamic mechanical engineering student with a passion for precision and innovation. Alongside his academic pursuits, he is also a skilled bass guitarist, striking the perfect balance between technical expertise and creative expression. His love for chess reflects his strategic mindset, always planning and making calculated moves.

Beyond his individual talents, he excels as a team player, seamlessly collaborating with others to achieve shared objectives. Tony currently serves as the head of trainings in the USEK Model United Nations Chapter (UMC) and is a dedicated scout leader, mentoring and guiding the next generation of diplomats and leaders. His well-rounded and versatile nature allows him to thrive in both technical and creative domains, making him an invaluable asset in any endeavor.

Level-up Leadership Program 2023 (LULP2023)
LULP 2022’s success paved the way for a return in 2023, reinforcing its role as a catalyst for leadership development. Extending beyond USEK, LULP2023 welcomed 90 students from different universities across Lebanon.
Inspired by the rise of Artificial Intelligence, LULP 2023 focused on tackling the connection between AI and sustainable development.
Participants took part in a series of practical training sessions designed to boost their skills and deepen their understanding of how AI can improve cities and communities. This approach, paired with a hands-on Model United Nations conference, allowed students not only to come up with ideas, but also to actively put them into action. LULP’s expansion in 2023 shows its commitment to spreading leadership development and knowledge-sharing to a wider audience beyond a single institution.

Jumpstart: Skill-Full Day
“Jumpstart: Skill-full Day” was a one-day developmental program in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) and supported by USEK.
The program featured top-tier expert speakers who shared their insight on personal and professional growth in the fields of team management, pitching, and civic engagement.
Participants worked in groups, under the theme of development in civic engagement, to create solutions to enhance student life at USEK.
The 3 winning teams received support to make their ideas come to life.

Level-up Leadership Program 2022 (LULP2022)
The Level-up Leadership Program (LULP) was a USEK Model United Nations Chapter (UMC) initiative in collaboration with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF)and with the support of USEK. This MUN-based program was designed to mold students into future leaders, equipping them with essential skills and insights.
The program consisted of several accelerator training sessions followed by an MUN simulation targeting Global Goal 16 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Winners received several valuable awards, with the 3 laureates of our Leadership Award winning a trip to Germany.

How Future Leaders Find a Job
“How Future Leaders Find a Job” was a two-day interactive workshop at USEK’s Zahle RUC designed to empower over 40 participants with essential soft and hard skills, including job search strategies and insights into the dynamic world of professional life.

Simulation of Collaborative Gatherings (SCG)
Following the UMC Program, the most dedicated participants went on to become UMC members following a new phase of immersive development through multiple training sessions. These specialized sessions solidified their skills and fortified their understanding of effective leadership. The practical application of the participants’ enhanced abilities in an MUN final conference became a hallmark of the UMC experience, with outstanding delegates becoming part of the UMC team.

UMC Program (UMCP)
The UMC Program was a comprehensive training program where participants engaged in weekly sessions dedicated to developing public speaking, leadership, and conflict resolution skills. Throughout the program, participants delved into the art of effective communication, explored the principles of diplomacy, and mastered critical thinking strategies. Dedicated mentors and professional public speakers led this journey, which concluded with a final MUN simulation.

E-mail : UMC@usek.edu.lb

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