There was some reminiscing and encouraging words for students during a debate which was held at University campus yesterday.

Malta Labour Party international secretary Alex Sceberras Trigona, Speaker Louis Galea, Labour MP Jose Herrera and Judge Guiseppe Mifsud Bonnici took part in the debate.

The four on the panel reminisced on their time spent at university, Mr Sceberras Trigona saying that student representatives needed to go back to their roots and increase their links with the student community that elected them.

Speaker Louis Galea said that during his time at university, there were much fewer students, but the bond between then was strong. “We had a greater sense of civic and political involvement and responsibility,” he said.

Dr Herrera said that in his opinion, the reason for students becoming more passive could be that the issues which affect the nation in 2008 are not as hot as they were in the late 80’s or in the early 70’s. Judge Mifsud Bonnici said that the lack of students attending the debate, in his opinion, showed that students today are simply not as active on and off campus as they were in the past.

Meanwhile Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Labour leader Joseph Muscat, who was accompanied by MP Evarist Bartolo separately toured the various stands at the university as part of Fresher’s Week.

Mr Bartolo gave a comment to the media on the lecturers’ strike and said he hoped, for the sake of the students, that a deal can be struck involving a more holistic plan to keep everyone onside.

Dr Muscat said that the university needed to involve itself more in issues relating to the environment as well as research and development.