SDSU NASPAA Simulation Competition 2024 on March 2nd
San Diego State University is set to host this year's California NASPAA (Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration) Simulation Competition; a globally recognized event aimed at fostering innovative solutions to complex public service challenges.
Scheduled for March 3, 2024, at the Gateway Center, this competition will engage students from various institutions in an immersive simulation focusing on refugee migration management.
Dr. Mounah Abdel-Samad an Associate Professor of Public Administration in the School of Public Affairs at SDSU, shed light on the significance of NASPAA in public administration education.
"The National Association for Schools of Public Administration is the organization that handles all the schools in the US related to public administration or public policy,” Dr. Abdel-Samad said, “... but in the last several years, they have started to accredit not only the US but now globally," he explained.
The competition, known as the Host Nations Simulation, presents participants with a multifaceted scenario wherein they must navigate policy decisions, budget allocations, and citizen satisfaction amidst an influx of refugees.
Professor Abel-Samad emphasized the educational and experiential value of the event, stating, "This would be a meaningful day for students worldwide as they compete and network in an immersive learning event, using computer simulation designed for public service education."
Hosting the competition elevates the profile of SDSU's School of Public Affairs both locally and internationally. The competition consists of mainly master students who must use their tools and skills learned within their school, to win the simulation.
Focusing on forced migration management, this year's simulation promises to prompt participants to grapple with nuanced issues such as handling migrants at borders, differential treatment based on family status, intergovernmental relations, and potential discrimination.
SDSU's hosting of the NASPAA Simulation Competition underscores its commitment to providing students with practical learning experiences and fostering collaboration within the public service community.
