THE leader of the Born in Bradford project and director of the National Science and Media Museum are among the recipients of honorary awards from Bradford College this week.

University Centre Bradford College is bestowing the honours on four prominent people from the district at its graduation ceremonies being held at the LIFE Centre this week, alongside hundreds of other students.

The first recipient is Bradford-born award-winning visual effects artist Mohammed Ikram.

A former student at the college, Mr Ikram, better known as Iki Ikram, has more than 30 years of experience working in the video games industry, with his vast portfolio of work winning practically every award available in the industry.

While he now lives in sunnier climes in California, Bradford still holds a special place in Mr Ikram’s heart, with his family still based in the city.

One of Bradford’s most prominent and respected philanthropists, Sir James Hill, will also receive an award.

He took over the family wool firm in 1976, and has since held numerous board positions in many sectors. He raised money as warden of Bradford Cathedral in the 80s to restore the west end knave, and has also chaired Dixon Academies Trust and the national Specialist Schools and Academies Trust.

He was awarded an OBE in 2000, and at the age of 75 chairs the Joseph Nutter Foundation and Bradford Matters.

Professor John Wright is chief investigator of Born in Bradford, and also established the Bradford Institute for Health Research and the Wolfson Centre for Applied Health Research.

He set up Born in Bradford in 2007, following the lives of 13,000 families as their children grow up, and has also helped develop sustainable public health programmes in Africa for more than 25 years, being awarded the West Africa Medal in 2015 for his work during the Ebola epidemic on the continent.

The final will be Jo Quinton-Tulloch, who has been the driving force behind the reinvention of the National Science and Media Museum since joining in 2012, and has been director for the past two years.

The award of Honorary Fellow is the highest accolade a college can bestow on a person, recognising their outstanding contribution in their field.

Craig Tupling, deputy chief executive, said: “All our graduates take with them very special memories of the college and the city of Bradford.

“The graduation ceremonies are their special day to celebrate their academic achievement and look to the future with pride.”