A Bolton MP swapped the green benches for a lab bench as he headed back to university for the day to meet with staff and students at the University of Salford.
Bolton West MP Chris Green was shown around the university by Sheila Pankhurst, Dean of the School of Environment and Life Sciences.
After the tour, the former engineer and member of the science and technology select committee spoke with final year chemistry and biochemistry undergraduates currently completing a science and industry module.
The class, led by Westhoughton resident Dr Steve Rossington, focusses on the Northern Powerhouse and its impact on the north, the UK and their own careers.
Chris said: “The University of Salford has a fantastic reputation and I was delighted to see the investment in equipment and laboratories there.
“As an engineer myself, it is clear from speaking to employers around the North West that it is these STEM subjects that will guarantee young people a great career after university.
“The students were very engaging and I hope I showed them that this government is serious about science and research – but also that there are MPs out there with similar backgrounds to their own.”
Professor Sheila Pankhurst said:
“We were delighted to welcome Chris onto campus and it was insightful and valuable for our students to hear from an MP with real world experience who is so committed to science and technology.
"Chris was also able to tour our new translational medicine labs, and hear about our current research in areas such as cancer biology and drug development.
“At the University of Salford we are passionate about ensuring our research has real impact, and also that our graduates leave us not only with an excellent academic understanding of their disciplines, but the knowledge of how to apply these in industry when they go out into the world of work.”