ON Friday hundreds of students took part in an emotional day, as the class of 2022 graduated from Bradford College.
Over two ceremonies at St George’s Hall, special guests gathered to watch loved ones receive their higher-level awards.
In the morning, degrees, higher professional, and technical qualifications were awarded by the Schools of Engineering & Construction, Bradford School of Art, Science, Medi-tech, Allied Health and Computing, and Business, Accountancy & Law.
In the afternoon, the Bradford College Margaret McMillan School of Education and School of Social Care & Community Practice also recognised the achievements of their exceptional graduands. Bradford College offers higher professional and technical qualifications at degree level for school leavers to mature students returning to education.
Bradley Cook-Pattison, who received a BA (Hons) in Performance from the Bradford School of Art, said: “I’m feeling very nervous, but I am absolutely proud to be here. I’m the first person in my family to come to university and graduate. I feel absolutely honoured to be identified as an alumni.”
Another graduand, Nasreen Akhtar, was awarded a Foundation Degree in Supporting and Managing Learning in Education from the Margaret MacMillan School of Education. She said: “I’m proud of myself. My two children were doing their GCSEs when I had brain surgery at the time. I tried to get a tutor for my children, but it was too expensive. So, I came back to college to re-do my English and maths. Bradford College is like my second home - I have been a student since 2016!”
At the ceremonies, Bradford College named two Honorary Fellow Awards - the highest title that the College can bestow on a person. The Awards started in 1933 and are given to inspirational individuals distinguished by their outstanding contribution to their fields, the College, or the City of Bradford.
This year, Muslim Women’s Council Chief Executive Bana Gora received the Award for campaigning for women’s rights in the city and beyond. Bana is a former BTEC National Business Studies student.
Neil Bedford, an acclaimed photographer and former National Diploma in Fashion student, also received the title for his distinguished career and inspiring a generation of young creatives.
If you arere inspired by these amazing stories and want to explore degrees here in Bradford, find out more by getting free advice and guidance or visit a Bradford College open day. For details go to www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk
FORMER Bradford College Business Studies student, Bana Gora, received an Honorary Fellow Award for more than 20 years of campaigning for and supporting women’s rights.
Bana co-founded the Muslim Women's Council in 2009 - an independent charity based in Bradford.
By 2015, she was announcing the intention to build the UK’s first female-led mosque as a community hub, offering advice and acting as a symbol of inclusion for all women.
Bana has been involved with social policy and community engagement on a local and national level, working directly with ethnically and religiously diverse communities and marginalised groups.
Bana also founded a weekly food initiative called the Curry Circle, which supports the homeless and those in need.
In 2019, Vogue announced Bana as one of the top 25 women shaping Britain’s future, alongside names such as Naomi Campbell and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.
Bana was the first Muslim woman to receive the Peacemaker Award in 2021, and she has inspired many women with messages of empowerment.
GRADUATING alongside the class of 2022 was former Bradford College Fashion student, Neil Bedford - now an internationally acclaimed photographer working with some of the biggest brands in the industry.
Since leaving Bradford College, Neil has been commissioned to photograph some of the most well-known athletes, musicians, and actors of our times, including Pharrell Williams, Kobe Bryant, Ed Sheeran, George Ezra, Emma Raducanu and David Beckham.
In his touching speech, Neil paid tribute to his former Bradford School of Art tutor, Angela Loftus: “When I met Angela, I felt like I suddenly had someone who completely understood me and saw my real potential, pushing me to do more and be more. She had the knowledge I craved and the industry experience to back it up. Without people like her, there wouldn’t be people like me, out there, doing what we love - so thank you.”
CHRIS Webb, Principal and CEO of Bradford College, pays tribute to this year's graduands: “On behalf of Bradford College, our staff and the Governors, I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate those of you who received awards. We take enormous pleasure in celebrating with you and your friends and family, as you complete your higher education studies. Many of you have overcome challenges on your journey toward completing your qualification, often managing competing demands such as family commitment or work, which makes your success even more remarkable. Today’s ceremony marks a new beginning for you - whether a graduate career, further study or incredible new opportunities. We hope you take very special memories of the College and Bradford. You are now a Bradford College Alumni, joining a family of graduates who have gone on to remarkable success in life. Congratulations to you all.”
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