The ‘West Park Teaching Hub’ houses lecture theatres, seminar rooms, a central learning and exhibition zone and an informal learning area. It is part of a £25 million investment in a ‘student learning zone’ at the west end of the University’s campus. 

Mr Johnson and Mrs Morgan were welcomed to the University by Loughborough’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Robert Allison, who showed them around the new development and introduced them to some of the students using the learning spaces.

Professor Rachel Thomson, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, gave the visitors an overview of STEMLab, a £17 million development, currently under construction, that will provide a state-of-the-art learning facility for the University’s science and engineering students. Some of the equipment that will be housed in STEMLab was on display, with students on hand to show how it will aid their learning.

The Minister then met some of the University’s Formula Student team, who are currently designing and building their next generation single-seat racing car, which they will pit against cars from other universities in an international competition in the summer.

The visit concluded with Professor Steve Rothberg, the University’s Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, providing an overview of Loughborough’s research excellence. The Minister was able to see examples of the University’s cutting-edge work at the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine East Midlands (NCSEM-EM), where researchers and clinicians are working closely together to inform policies and practice that will benefit the nation’s health and wellbeing.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Robert Allison said: “We were delighted to welcome both Jo Johnson and Nicky Morgan to the campus today to show them just a few examples of our pioneering research and the teaching innovations we’re undertaking at Loughborough.”

Universities Minister Jo Johnson said: “I would like to thank Loughborough University for inviting me to see how their state-of-the-art facilities and exciting projects are preparing students for their chosen career. 

“It’s always great to see first-hand how British universities like Loughborough are training people up with the skills employers need to help their business and the economy grow.”