MORE than 100 staff and students have taken part in Bournemouth University's biggest Global Festival of Learning to date.

Representatives have travelled to China, Indonesia, Malaysia and India over the last two months and will share their experiences with visitors to its Bournemouth-based event in July.

A total of 45 staff and students have just returned from China where they visited the cities of Zhuhai, Guangzhou and Beijing examining the theme of innovation.

They worked with peer educators, entrepreneurs and policy makers and also got the chance to work on events across China as part of BU's Developing Global Talent programme.

Paralympic gold medallist Susannah Rogers joined Students at China's Capital University of Physical Education and Sports in Beijing and they also took part in a panel discussion about Chinese soccer development.

It featured six of the 60 Chinese football coaches who came to Bournemouth for three months last year for the BU China Football Study Programme 2016. They spoke of how their positive experiences at BU helped them improve their development work in China.

Dr Sonal Minocha, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Global Engagement at BU said: "Bournemouth University is committed to deepening its worldwide impact as part of its Global BU strategy and the Global Festival of Learning series in 2017 is an excellent example of how our staff and students are operating in a global context.

"It has been a tremendous experience working with international partner institutions to stage these events on relevant areas of interest and collaboration in the different host countries, with related expertise from BU academics featuring in all the programmes, alongside a tremendous opportunity for our students to work in an international environment.

"We now look forward to bringing the learnings from engaging and sharing thoughts in these global events to the BU Festival of Learning in Dorset in July”

The Global Festival of Learning is now heading home to Dorset where preparations are under way to give members of the public a behind-the-scenes look at what goes on at the university.

There will be more than 140 free events staged at BU campuses and other locations across the county from Saturday July 8 until Wednesday July 12.

It all kicks off with a fun-filled family day at Talbot campus, with a host of educational and hands-on activities for all ages.

On Sunday July 9, Festival on the Quay will see a range of activities taken to Poole Quay, with a selection of goodies to give away.

Events and activities will then run throughout the day and evening, including debates, interactive workshops, talks, exhibitions, sports sessions, professional development opportunities and theatre events.

The festival will close with a global day to celebrate BU’s global engagement through events and an international food festival.

Festival Director Genna West said: "We’ve got a jam-packed programme of free events, activities and shows for this year’s Festival of Learning, from debates to exhibitions and sports sessions to professional development opportunities.

"We’re passionate about ensuring our education and research make a difference, and we can’t wait to bring learning to life this summer. We’d love for people of all ages to share in our discoveries, and have the chance to engage and connect with our staff, students and partners."

Members of the public can register their interest and request a copy of the Festival of Learning programme at bournemouth.ac.uk/fol