BOLTON Institute lecturer Mike Howarth was set a 'university challenge' on a recent visit to Istanbul.

The Faculty of Technology lecturer was visiting the Mimar Sinan University and returned with an unexpected research assignment, courtesy of Turkish author and historian Professor Onder Kuckukerman.

The two men met at the University and Professor Kuckukerman, an historian of design technology, was quick to enlist Mike's help.

Mike explained: "Professor Kuckukerman is particularly interested in great Victorian exhibitions and learning that I was from Bolton - a world centre of technology at that time - he enlisted my help as a researcher in the field.

"I would now like to make contact with individuals and firms who have material relating to the Manchester Royal Jubilee Exhibition of 1887 and other information from that era about products which won publicity and may have influences on modern design theory."

Anyone able to help Mike can contact him at the Faculty of Technology, Bolton Institute, Deane Road, Bolton.

He can be called on tel.930042 or E-mail mh76bolton.ac.uk.

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