UG Registry staff receives award at American Model United Nations Conference

Andrew Thom attached to the Registry Department at the University of Guyana (UG) recently received the prestigious Outstanding Justice Award in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) at the American Model United Nations (AMUN) Conference held recently in Chicago, Illinois.

Thom also represented Guyana and received the Best Diplomatic Stance Award at the Best Diplomats Conference held in London, United Kingdom (UK), from September 27 to 30, 2024.
The AMUN Secretariat conveyed the exciting news to Andrew recently and indicated that he will receive his certificate in the coming days. Last year’s AMUN Conference was held at the Sheraton Grande Chicago in Illinois.
The AMUN is a non-profit educational organisation founded in 1989 to provide students with the highest quality, most professionally run simulation of the United Nations (UN). The organisation strives to combine educational quality with highly realistic simulations of the UN to give students an unparalleled Model UN learning experience.
Thom represented UG at the AMUN Conference, which saw over 600 students from educational institutions around the world participating. He performed the role of a Justice in the ICJ, where he took on the challenging task of addressing global disputes through legal reasoning and diplomacy. “Delivering a well-thought-out opinion that balanced justice with fairness was a proud moment for me,” Andrew recalls.
At the Best Diplomats Conference in London, the area of focus was centred on fairness and inclusivity in technological advancement. “I worked on drafting resolutions and finding common ground among representatives with different views,” he explains. His efforts paid off, earning him the Best Diplomatic Stance Award at this event.
The Guyanese scholar noted that he saw it as an honour to represent UG at these high-level events, adding that UG students are able to shine anywhere in the world. “It’s not just about personal accomplishments; it’s about representing our university and country on the global stage,” he says with much pride.
He served as Acting Vice President and Treasurer of the University of Guyana International Affairs Association (UGIAA) for the academic year 2023/2024. There, he gained experience in leadership, and teamwork, and engaged with global issues.
“My time with UGIAA helped me develop the skills and confidence I needed to step onto international platforms,” he says. According to Andrew, these awards are “a reminder of how far I’ve come and what’s possible with determination.”
“I grew up in a small village in Berbice, where community and resilience were key values. Those early lessons taught me to see challenges as opportunities and inspired my dream of working in diplomacy and governance,” he shared.
Currently, Thom is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Management at UG and an Associate Degree in Psychology and Legal Systems at Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science, India. With this unique combination, he aims to bridge the gap between leadership, legal expertise, and a profound understanding of human behaviour to drive impactful change within communities.
“I want to use my experiences to inspire others, especially young people from underrepresented communities,” he stated.
His journey is already serving as an inspiration to his peers. From a small village in Berbice to international conferences, Thom’s journey is a testament to the power of hard work, community, and a commitment to making the world a better place.