By Jacqueline Tung, AMS Social Media Coordinator (Canada Summer Jobs 2026)
From international Model UN conferences to health policy competitions, UBC Model United Nations Student Association (MUNSA) is giving students new ways to explore their academic interests and develop skills along the way.
The club prepares students for Model UN conferences, where they participate in simulations of United Nations committees while developing skills in research, debate and public speaking.
This year, MUNSA won the AMS Academic Award for expanding student access to academic opportunities through policy simulations and low-cost conferences.
“Our club, I would say, has changed significantly this year,” said Anya Trivedi, co-president of UBC MUNSA. “Specifically, our training program.”
The club revamped its training program and introduced a free crash course for members. Trivedi said the changes have contributed to greater success for MUNSA delegates at conferences, with two delegates receiving an award at the Harvard WorldMUN Conference this year.
Beyond its training program, MUNSA has introduced new events, including a health policy competition held in collaboration with Friends of MSF UBC (FoMSF UBC).
The club also brings together students from a range of academic backgrounds.
“We have a diverse community of pre-law students, pre-med students, engineering students, IR, [and] political science,” Trivedi said. “It’s very nice to see that collective community come together.”
BioInnovate UBC was also recognized as a nominee for this year’s Academic Award.
Founded in 2024, the student-led life sciences organization also was nominated for the Best New Club award last year.
“[We] really want to support students as best as we can to allow them to see the breadth of opportunities that exist within the life sciences,” said Jackson.
For one of its pitch competitions, the club brought in workshop leaders and mentors with entrepreneurial experience to support participants.
“It’s been a great showcase of the talent, creativity and innovation of students right here at UBC,” said Jackson.
For students looking to take their academic interests beyond their coursework, UBC MUNSA and UBC BioInnovate offer opportunities to explore different fields, develop practical skills and connect with other students.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/munsaubc/
Website: https://www.bioinnovateubc.ca/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bioinnovateubc/
Explore more student clubs and find opportunities to get involved: https://amsclubs.ca/
Jacqueline Tung is a student journalist with BCIT News and a Broadcast and Online Journalism student at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT). She is a UBC alumna with a background in International Relations and Psychology. Originally from Hong Kong and now based in Vancouver, she is passionate about multimedia storytelling and covering human-centered stories, local voices and community issues.
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