On November 2-5, 2005, nine GSU students attended the 9th annual Southeastern Model African Union (SEMAU) in Columbus, GA.  The annual simulation is a regional association of the National Model of African Union held annually in Washington, D.C.  SEMAU was founded in 1998 by GSU’s Center for Africana Studies.  Since 1998, college students and faculty from the University System of Georgia have participated in the annual simulation. Students from fifteen colleges and universities attended the simulation which was hosted by Columbus State University under the directorship  and co-directorship of Dr. Florence Wakoko and Dr. John Studstill, respectively.

SEMAU is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the political, social, and economic issues facing many African countries.  The students are given the opportunity to learn parliamentary procedures, coalition building, conflict resolution, and diplomatic conduct.

The GSU student delegates were Juliet Atsegbua, Shonikie Brunson, Tiffany Griggs, Phoebe Logan, Atiya Mitchell, Cory Moss, Crystal Starling, Benita Turner, and Virgil Watkins.  The student delegates represented the countries of South Africa and Democratic Republic of the Congo.

GSU faculty advisors were Mrs. Mildred Pate of Writing and Linguistic, and Dr. Saba Jallow, Director of the Center for Africana Studies.  The group was entertained by the Soweto Street Beat dancers from South Africa. 

SEMAU will celebrate its tenth anniversary at the Coastal Georgia Center in Savannah on November 2-4, 2006.  We anticipate many delegates will attend from the University System of Georgia institutions and surrounding states.  The simulation will be sponsored and co-sponsored by Georgia Southern University, Armstrong Atlantic State University, and Savannah State University.