Minister of State for Universities and Science, the Rt Hon David Willetts MP, will open BU’s Festival of Learning on Monday 9 June.

The visit, which coincides with Universities UK Week, is an opportunity to showcase BU’s excellent student work and world-leading research to this influential government figure.

The Minister will begin his visit with a tour of the University, taking in a range of Festival of Learning events including ‘Are you a super-recogniser’, ‘VeggiEAT’ and an exhibition of student projects.

The tour will be led by BU Vice-Chancellor Professor John Vinney, along with Chancellor The Rt Hon The Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, MP for Bournemouth West Conor Burns and Chairman of the BU Board Sue Sutherland OBE.

Following the tour, Mr Willetts MP will give an opening speech about the Festival and the value of Higher Education. This will be followed by a Q&A session.

The Festival of Learning allows professionals, students and members of the public to find out more about BU’s work and how it can impact the lives of those around the world. More details about the events Mr Willetts MP will attend are as follows:

• Are you a super-recogniser? Dr Sarah Bate, Senior Lecturer in Psychology

Some people are exceptionally good at remembering faces, whereas others are very poor at this skill and may have ‘face blindness’. This event assesses where you lie on the spectrum through a live experiment.

• Cuddly kittens, awesome lasers and free food. Mik Parsons, Lecturer in Interactive Media Production

This event is a graduate exhibition by the BA (Hons) Interactive Media Production course, with the opportunity to experience work from award-winning students about to enter the industry. The scope of work ranges from computer games to alternative realities, and projection mapping to brain-powered lamps.

• VeggiEAT – are you a supertaster? Dr Heather Hartwell, Professor in the School of Health & Social Care

VeggiEAT is an EU project addressing the global challenge of reducing obesity and coronary heart disease. This event will introduce VeggiEAT and investigate if there is a reason why you like or dislike vegetables.

To book an event or find out more information, visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/fol.