Honorary graduates of 2023

Professor Ernesto Zedillo, former President of Mexico, who was awarded a Doctor of Letters: “It was at Bradford where I acquired a sense of belonging to a world beyond the borders of my beloved Mexico. I had never been abroad and there I was at the University of Bradford meeting and enjoying fellows from many countries… it changed my life.”

Honorary graduate Steve Killelea: "My main advice for graduates is to do what you really enjoy, and if you are keen to work harder than others and pick things you are good at, that creates a virtuous circle of success, because as your career grows, it won’t be hard work, you will just be doing what you love to do."

Community leader Charles Dacres, Director of the Bradford Hate Crime Alliance, who received an Outstanding Contribution Award: "There is an old Caribbean saying, ‘One, one, cocoa, full basket.’ We use it in our work in the community. It means that if everyone plays their little part, together it amounts to a full basket. We shouldn’t think about our individual contribution, but who we can take on our journey with us."

Richard Shaw, Bid Director Bradford 2025, was given an Honorary Degree of Doctor: "Winning the title for 2025 was a collective act. It was only possible because people put aside their own personal ambitions and worked together, night and day, to make it happen. Collaboration is the key to success."

'Ramadan Runner' Nazim Ali, dedicated philanthropist, received an Outstanding Contribution Award: "“I never imagined I would go to university and travel around the world, but I will never forget my roots. If I hadn’t gone through what I had in life, I wouldn’t have the mentality and approach I have.”

Professor Mahendra Patel, world-renowned pharmacist, who was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Health: "My message to the graduates is to be inclusive in what you do and always bring people with you. Don’t think of your career in terms of working for others, but rather working with them. "

Optometrist Professor Shahina Pardhan, Director of the Vision and Eye Research Institute, and Director of Centre for Inclusive Community Eye Health, was awarded a Doctor of Health: "I am where I am today because of the strong foundation I received from the University of Bradford nearly 40 years ago, not just in training me to be an optometrist, but also in preparing me for the challenges of life."

Professor Akaneren Idem Essien is a Professor of Animal Science at the Akwa Ibom State University, Obio Akpa campus, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. He is a Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Animal Science, FNSAP, and two-term Member of Council of the Nigerian Institute of Animal Science. Commenting on his award, he said: “My advice to young people is to be very committed in their work. Whatever they do, they should never cut corners, commit to study and be honest and sincere - this will help them in their future careers."

Award-winning Ford engineer, Alan Banks, gained an Honorary Doctorate of Engineering: "The work I do at the University of Bradford is the pinnacle of my career - I feel it’s my duty as an elder statesman of engineering to pay it forward."

Jabbar Sardar, Global HR director for BBC Studios, the commercial subsidiary of the BBC, was awarded Doctor of the University in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the awareness of Inclusion and Diversity through his professional life and beyond the remit of his role and as an alumnus who had achieved significant levels of success in their chosen field. He holds an MBA from the University of Bradford and has been the Chair of the International Advisory Board at the School of Management since 2017.