FORMER students have been asked to get back in touch with Bradford College as part of a programme to help inspire those currently studying there.

With a history dating back 185-years, Bradford College has provided education and training to hundreds of thousands people.

Shehla Khalid, the college’s newly-appointed alumni relations and events development officer, has put out an appeal to former students to share their success stories and become more involved in current college life.

She was brought in to breathe new life into the institution’s alumni association, and is now keen to reconnect with students from any era and from any course.

She said: “We want to celebrate the achievements and successes of our former students and use their stories to inspire our existing and future students.

“We want the alumni to be a big part of the college community. We will be organising reunions and networking events and will be producing a bi-annual newsletter that will keep our former students and staff informed and updated about college activities, fellow alumni and networking opportunities.”

The alumni association of Bradford College is for further and higher education students from any course - from a short course up to a degree or post-graduate qualification.

Mrs Khalid added: “So long as they had some education at Bradford College, we want to hear from them.

“We don’t want our students to just get their qualifications and forget the college. We want them to stay in touch, keep us updated on their careers and hopefully even give back in terms of their time by coming in to speak to current students.

“It is hoped they can help motivate the next generation as career and education role models, work experience providers, governors and fundraisers.

“Our vision is to energise, develop and nurture a vibrant community of alumni and friends in support of Bradford College’s ambition to be the UK’s leading college.”

Based in the city centre, the college has been a major part of the city’s recent history.

Former students who sign up as alumni also get access to networking, professional development, celebrations and reunions, and membership of the alumni association also entitles members to discounts on courses at the college - including 25 per cent off some master’s degree courses for up to three years after graduation.

Among the college’s former students are acclaimed artist David Hockney, after whom the college named a £50 million building in 2015, who studied art there in the 1950s.

Other notable alumni include TV journalist turned MP Gloria De Piero and Great Britain’s Olympic boxer Muhammad Ali.

The association is not limited to ex-students.

Former teachers and other staff members have also been encouraged to join, as have students of linked institutions, so alumni of Bradford Regional College of Art, Bradford Technical College and Bradford and Ilkley Community College also included in the appeal.

Anyone wishing to join can call 01274 438965, email s.khalid@bradfordcollege.ac.uk or visit Bradford College Alumni on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn or visit the alumni website at bradfordcollege.ac.uk/alumni