The joint hosting of an international conference on masculinity at St. Augustine and the development of a three-week study abroad leadership programme for UWI students at St. John’s, were just two of the outcomes emanating from a reciprocal visit by UWI officials to the Saint John’s University and Saint Benedict’s College in Minnesota, USA (CSB/SJU), from 9-13 July, 2006.

The objectives of the visit were to follow up on talks initiated at a meeting held between a delegation from St. John’s, led by Dr. Gar Kellom to the Centre for Gender and Development Studies (CGDS) in January this year; and to establish the basis for a Memorandum of Understanding, to formalize and cement collaboration between the two universities.

Other outcomes of the visit included the sharing of course outlines with the possibility of starting a minor in Men’s Studies at the CGDS, and ideas and strategies in teaching and gender activism practiced by the two campuses. The team also explored the possibility of team teaching and faculty exchanges by both universities.

While there, the UWI delegation comprising Ms Indrani Bachan-Persad, Head of International Collaboration and Partnerships and Professor Patricia Mohammed, Acting Head, CGDS met with the two Presidents of SJU and St. Benedict’s, Brother Dietrich Reinhart and Dr. Maryann Baenninger respectively.

They also met with other officials of SJU/CSB, among them Gar Kellom, Madhu Mitra, Kolleen Kellom, Iris Cornelius, Ozzie Myers, Dallas Kenny and Maryann Baenniger. Additionally they toured the extensive campus grounds which included a visit to their in-campus church, and Hill and Manuscript Museum where the historic manuscript bible is being prepared. This bible which is almost completed is the first of its kind in the world.

Following this visit, St. John’s will be visiting UWI in early January 2007 to finalize the discussions regarding the Men’s Leadership Conference, and Study Abroad programme. They will also participate in a seminar organized by the CGDS.

St. John’s University is a predominantly male liberal arts college located in Central Minnesota. Saint Benedict’s, its sister college is four miles away and is has only female students. Both colleges have close to 2,000 students each from 40 states and 35 foreign countries.