Bradford College

Businesses Reward Higher Education Student Success

Local and national businesses joined Bradford College on 19th May to celebrate the success of top achievers at the annual Bradford College University Centre HE Awards Ceremony. The Awards Ceremony recognises the academic and personal success of our students, whose determination and drive to succeed impressed judges and led them to become the award winning students we know today.

During the auspicious evening, David Smith, Dean of HE was the Master of Ceremonies, whilst Michele Sutton, O.B.E, Principal and Chief Executive of Bradford College presented sponsored prizes to Business, Law, Computing, Engineering and International students. Principal Michele Sutton, O.B.E, was joined by representatives from a wide range of sponsors including: GOMAD Thinking, Feenix E-Learning Ltd, Oxford University Press, Naylor Wintersgill, ICLR and Turner & Townsend. 

Michele Sutton, O.B.E, was delighted to open the Higher Education Awards Ceremony Awards Evening. In part of her address, Michele said: “We’re here this evening to recognise the academic and personal achievements of you - our award winners. You have made a positive contribution to the College – the city and beyond.  You are a special group of people who have displayed all the qualities needed to succeed in life - drive, commitment, professionalism and the ability to meet and conquer challenges head on. We are proud of each and every one of you.”

Prize winners and sponsors heard an address from guest speaker Bianca Holman, Project Manager for GOMAD Thinking. Bianca gave an inspiring talk about her passion for helping young people follow their dream.

Michele Sutton, Principal and Chief Executive of Bradford College concluded: “Bradford College continues to provide high quality training in Business, Computing, Engineering and Law.  In doing so, we help our students to achieve their personal career aspirations while providing motivated, capable and skilled managers who are critical to the future regeneration of the Bradford economy”.

Students expressed their delight at attending the ceremony that recognised great achievement…

The winner of the Bradford College University Centre Computing Prize for Academic Achievement went to Paul Fisher. Paul expressed his delight at attending the ceremony and said:  “I feel honoured and delighted to have won this award - and I’m thrilled because it was completely unexpected!”

Paul’s fiancée Laura Brigden attended the ceremony to see him collect his award.  With great happiness, Laura said: “I think he truly deserves it because he works very hard.”

This is not the first time Paul has been recognised for his academic achievements; in 2009 he scooped the Phoenix Computers Prize for Outstanding Academic Achievement.

The Bradford College Marketing Department Placement Prize, was awarded to Nikita Novikovs by Principal Michele Sutton. Nikita was delighted to have won and said: “It feels great to have won this award – it’s the first time in my life that I’ve been given an award.” Nikita Novikovs worked within the Bradford College Marketing Department and made an outstanding contribution to the department.   Nikita added: “It’s very nice to receive an award for something I enjoyed doing.”

The Survivorbility Ltd Prize for the ‘Greatest Determination to Contribute and Achieve’ went to mature student Cathleen Bell. Over the period of her studies, Cathleen always showed full commitment and determination to achieve. 

Commenting on how she felt when she heard she had won the award, Cathleen said: “I was surprised, shocked and delighted when I discovered I’d won” Cathleen missed much of her education as a youngster due to a childhood illness that resulted in her spending much of her time in hospital. She had always dreamt of studying further and credits Tutor Angela Readhead for her success in realising her ambition.

Angela Readhead, Bespoke Trainer Assessor at Bradford Business School, welcomed Cathleen’s award and said: “Cathleen deserves this award for all the hard work and perseverance she has put into her studies.  I’m really proud of her great achievements!”

The Bradford College Business School Prize for Commitment and Achievement was scooped by Denisa Baldwin.  Mature student and mother of three, Denisa demonstrated continuous dedication to her studies throughout her time in the Business School, whilst also juggling the commitments of family life.

When asked how Denisa managed to juggle College life with the commitments of bringing up a family, Denisa replied:  “I had a lot of support from my husband. I had to remain focused when I got home and set time aside for study.” Denisa smiled and added: “I never missed a tutorial as I felt that was important – and it worked well for me.”

Denisa’s husband Paul attended the ceremony to see her collect her award. With great happiness Paul said:  “I’m very proud of her.  She’s worked very hard and deserves to get this award.”

Multi award winning student Paul Garside was accompanied by his wife of 16 years, Michelle to accept the Bradford College University Centre, Computing Prize for the Academic Achievement.  With great happiness, Paul said:  “I’m delighted to be here this evening to accept my award.  I didn’t expect to win – I’m delighted.” No stranger to success, hard-working Paul was announced as the winner of the 2010 Leeds Metropolitan University, Computing Prize for the Best Overall Contribution to H.E. Computing.

Commenting on Paul’s great achievement, wife Michelle said: “I’m really proud of him. He’s worked really hard and he deserves everything he’s achieved.”

Paul originally worked in the printing industry for 14 years, but gave up work in 2001 to care for his disabled son.  Paul explained: “When I finished caring I wanted to go back to work, but the printing industry was a dying trade, so I retrained in Computing.” Paul added: “I couldn’t have done it without my wife working to let me concentrate on my studies. Paul now has plans in the pipeline to study to become a HE tutor.  Paul concluded: “I’ve been enthused that much that I want to pass on my knowledge and open up opportunities for other people like they’ve been opened for me.”

Sanya Farooq was the winner of the ICLR Mooting Competition Prize.  Sanya also scooped the Oxford University Press Prize for Highest Achiever in Legal Skills and the Schofield Sweeny Prize for Highest Achiever in Llb Year 2. 

When asked how it felt to be a multi award winning student, Sanya replied:  “To be honest I’m really shocked, but incredibly happy.  It’s great to be here tonight with some of my friends to celebrate and receive my award.”

Friends Fiaza Sharif and Hadia Akram accompanied Sanya to the awards ceremony, commenting on Sanya’s great achievement they said in unison: “We’re very proud of her.”