THE SECRETARIAT 2021

Chengetai Choto

Chairperson

Bachelor Student in Sport Economics

Chengetai Choto studies Sport Economics at the University of Bayreuth. In addition to being Chairperson, she is also a member of the cultural department. Next to her studies she enjoys watching sports, going to intimate concerts, going to music festivals and travelling. She was previously a member of MUN when she was in High School where she was Head of Administration. She is looking forward to organizing the MAU 2021 Conference and hopes to have fruitful discussions about the African continent at the event.

Dyoniz Kindata

Chairperson

Master Student in African Verbal and Visual Arts

Dyoniz Kindata is a Master’s student in African Verbal and Visual Arts (AVVA) with a focus on African Linguistics and Literature at the University of Bayreuth. He is also a writer and language activist (Swahili). Mr. Kindata has been very successful and versatile in various leadership positions in Germany and Tanzania, his home country. He was the chair of MAU 2020 and worked well with other leaders in organizing the African Stories online event series which took place instead of the Conference due to COVID-19. While studying at the University of Dar Es Salaam, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in French and Swahili, he held various positions such as General Secretary of the Gender Club in 2016-2017, International Relation Officer (PRO) of the Rotaract Club of Mlimani in 2017, and General Secretary of the Swahili Club in 2018. In addition to his leadership positions, he was also an active member of various clubs at the University of Dar Es Salaam including Youth of United Nations (YUNA), French Students Association of Tanzania, and Chinese Club.
In his few words, he says, “I have a strong passion, great interests and deep experience in organizing conferences, conducting and participating in critical debates on Africa and leadership.”

Michelle Epps

Commissioner for Finance

Master Student in Sociology

Michelle was one of the first Members of Model African Union Bayreuth and is still a committed member. The idea to give african people and those who are linked to african countrys the possibilty to discuss on continent related issues, inspired her from the beginning. In MAU Meetings one could see people that want to create a change, that are also committed and are broadly interested. For her MAU is a small piece of the change we need for a better future. To get together, start the discussion and overthink past developmentes and create common ideas for the future, to have a vision. The Model African Union Bayreuth Conference is the frame that makes this possible.

Kevin Schmitt

Member

Master Student in Business Administration

Being one of the new and ambitious students at the best MAU organization in Europe, Kevin aims to extend his knowledge about the countries of Africa with his MAU involvement. Apart from being a member of MAU, Kevin is also the Head of Education, part of the MAU Conference Finance Team and an avid student, as he already studied in Germany, Poland and China (PRC).

Ole Esseln

Commissioner for PR

Bachelor Student in African Development Studies in Geography

Ole has been a member of MAU Bayreuth for two years. He began participating in the association in 2018 when he started his studies in Bayreuth. Before his engagement in the association, he took part in the conference of 2018 as a delegate. He wants to keep up the inspiring and connecting spirit of the Model African Union Conferences in Bayreuth. His special interest is the African continent and its rising. Further, he has been a one-year volunteer in Tanzania.

Dagmar Kohlmeier

Member

Bachelor Student in African Development Studies in Geography

Dagmar became a part of the MAU organization team in 2018. Motivated by the great experiences of the department work of the last three years, once again Dagmar is a member of the PR department in 2021. Next to this position, she was voted as the Secretary of the Model African Union Bayreuth e.V. association team. Dagmar is looking forward to this years BAYMAU21 Conference with the theme “Made in Africa” hoping to frame new narratives about the African Continent by looking at solutions and innovation from Africa for a globalized world.

Zhiying Mao

Member

Master Student in Cultural and Social Anthropology

Zhiying is a master student majoring in Cultural and Social Anthropology at the University of Bayreuth. She is always intrigued by future prospects for Africa and voices on political and social issues from divergent perspectives. MAU provides a great platform to meet people who also have a great passion for the potential in this continent.

Miriam Steinmüller

Member

Bachelor Student in African Development Studies in Geography

Miriam spent one year in Tanzania and sings also in the Swahili Choir in Bayreuth. These experiences motivated her to participate in the organization of the BAYMAU Conference 2018 and 2021.

Johanna Halder

Member

Bachelor Student in African Development Studies in Geography

After finishing her high school degree, Johanna spent one year in Zambia. The African continent and culture really fascinated her which was her motivation to start studying African Development Studies in Geography in Bayreuth. By participating in MAU which means for her to consider current topics of the African continent, she sees a nice chance to broaden her horizon.

Flora Blank

Commissioner for Admissions

Bachelor Student in Philosophy & Economics

Flora is in her second Semester, studying Philosophy & Economics at the University of Bayreuth. Prior to her studies, she has spent six months volunteering in Rwanda. Her interest in the development of the African continent as well as wanting to learn more about the issues it faces has led her to join MAU at the beginning of her first semester. Being part of this year’s admissions team, she is excited to meet all participants and is looking forward to the BAYMAU conference 2021.

Sonja Schug

Member

Master Student in Business Administration

Sonja is in her 2nd semester of her master’s in Business Administration. Sonja is interested in meeting new people and getting to know new cultures. She joined MAU Bayreuth at the end of 2020 and is excited to experience her first conference.

Karla Kiefer

Commissioner for Culture

Pre-master Student in Political Science

Karla Kiefer completed her Bachelor’s degree in Arts and Culture and is currently pursuing her pre-masters in Political Science at Radboud University. She will then specialise in Gender Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Politics. Alongside her studies, she also works at the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Office at her Univerity in the Netherlands. Being of German and Zimbabwean descent Karla has always been interested in international relations and post-colonial studies. Karla joined MAU to learn and unlearn as well as to be part of an organisation where she can share knowledge and awareness. She is currently assisting in the planning of the MAU conference for 2021.

Chengetai Choto

Member

Bachelor Student in Sport Economics

Chengetai Choto studies Sport Economics at the University of Bayreuth. In addition to being Chairperson, she is also a member of the cultural department. Next to her studies she enjoys watching sports, going to intimate concerts, going to music festivals and travelling. She was previously a member of MUN when she was in High School where she was Head of Administration. She is looking forward to organizing the MAU 2021 Conference and hopes to have fruitful discussions about the African continent at the event.

Dyoniz Kindata

Member

Master Student in African Verbal and Visual Arts

Dyoniz Kindata is a Master’s student in African Verbal and Visual Arts (AVVA) with a focus on African Linguistics and Literature at the University of Bayreuth. He is also a writer and language activist (Swahili). Mr. Kindata has been very successful and versatile in various leadership positions in Germany and Tanzania, his home country. He was the chair of MAU 2020 and worked well with other leaders in organizing the African Stories online event series which took place instead of the Conference due to COVID-19. While studying at the University of Dar Es Salaam, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in French and Swahili, he held various positions such as General Secretary of the Gender Club in 2016-2017, International Relation Officer (PRO) of the Rotaract Club of Mlimani in 2017, and General Secretary of the Swahili Club in 2018. In addition to his leadership positions, he was also an active member of various clubs at the University of Dar Es Salaam including Youth of United Nations (YUNA), French Students Association of Tanzania, and Chinese Club.
In his few words, he says, “I have a strong passion, great interests and deep experience in organizing conferences, conducting and participating in critical debates on Africa and leadership.”

Ololade Edun

Member

Master Student in Language-Interaction-Culture

Ololade is a Student of the M.A. Language interaction and culture at the University of Bayreuth. He is not only strongly interested in everything cultural about Africa but also interested in meeting new people irrespective of backgrounds to engage in debates concerning sociopolitical and economic issues related to Africa.

Luena Abigail Pimenta Ricardo

Commissioner for Technical Workshops Committee

M.A International Economics, Business and Cultural Diplomacy

Luena is a Social Scientist, has a Master’s in Cultural Diplomacy, and participated during the MAU2019 Conference. As a Community Engagement Specialist, she is always interested in connecting with people and promoting meaningful projects. She is excited to join the Conference Team towards fostering discussions about Africa in the academic environment.

Mira Rodrian

Member

Master Student in Global Change Ecology

Mira is a student of the Master program Global Change Ecology (GCE) at the University of Bayreuth and a new team member of MAU. Nevertheless, she is motivated for the job since she heard of MAU for the first time during her Bachelor of International Relations. As many others were participating in MUN activities, she rather wished to be part of MAU. Now, this dream became reality. Besides organizing the conference as part of the TW committee, she is excited to learn more about the African Union and to get in touch with the people attending the conference.