NORTH-EAST education worker Wendy Jackson will pass on her expertise to universities in three African countries over the next four weeks.

Ms Jackson, who works at the University of Sunderland, will leave on Sunday to visit academic institutions in Ghana, Togo and Benin as part of the Rotary Club's group study exchange.

The 31-year-old, from Sunderland, works for the university's widening participation team, which helps attract students to the city from areas where there is a low take-up of higher education.

She said: "I am really looking forward to it and I am sure it will be a life-changing experience.

"As well as offering help and advice to universities, I am hoping to get quite a lot of information from them to use back at Sunderland.

"I will also be visiting the British embassies to see how they promote UK universities and Sunderland in particular, as well going to local schools."

The group study exchange scheme is a cultural and vocational exchange programme for young professionals aged 25 to 40.

The programme provides travel grants for exchange visits between professionals in different countries.

For four to six weeks, team members experience the host country's institutions and ways of life, looking at how their own vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships and exchange ideas.

Ms Jackson will be joined by five young professionals from the region, who include an environmentalist, teacher and a sexual-health nurse.