President Bharrat Jagdeo recently facilitated a discussion at the Office of the President on regional and international issues with 30 students from the University of the West Indies’ Mona Campus.

According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release, International Outreach Coordinator and Senior Lecturer at the Institute of International Relations at UWI Dr Mark Kirton said the students are pursuing Masters at UWI. He said the purpose of the visit was to give them a different perspective on regional international issues.

He said Jagdeo shared his views on the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), regional integration and domestic issues which impact the region.

Kirton said the students benefited tremendously from the discussion and expressed gratitude to the President for sharing his time and knowledge with them.

According to GINA, Guyanese student Johan David said the President’s “sound, analytical view on the EPA and his emphasis on the flaws in the agreement, was enlightening.” She said too her peers are impressed by the Jagdeo Initiative on climate change and they look forward to reading the document in its entirety and hopefully they can contribute their opinions on the issue.

According to GINA, the students also attended the Caricom Council of Trade and Economic Development meeting and will visit Suriname before returning to Jamaica.