University of Bradford a picture as 50th anniversary celebrations start
The University of Bradford has marked the launch of its 50th anniversary celebrations with the publication of a fascinating set of 'then and now' photographs of the city campus.
The pictures show the early years of the University’s development off Great Horton Road, from its opening in 1966, and compares the images with shots taken today showing the same views.
Each picture is taken from the same spot as the original and carefully aligned to allow a seamless transition between the original image and how the location looks now. The result is a fascinating contrast as locations have developed over the years.
In 1966, Bradford Institute of Technology was granted a Royal Charter to become the University of Bradford, the 40th university to be created in Britain.
Prime Minister Harold Wilson became the first Chancellor and the University began to grow steadily, increasing student numbers and the range of courses on offer.
Bradford is now a more popular choice than ever for students who want to give their career the best possible start. The student population has leapt from 2,000 in 1966 to more than 17,000 today, including 4,000 students studying around the globe.
The University has always prided itself on being pioneering in its course provision - the first British university to offer a Peace Studies degree, the first to set up a modern business school and the first British university outside London to offer part-time degree courses.
The University's forebear, The Mechanics Institute, was founded in 1832 in response to the need in the city for workers with cutting-edge skills relevant to the workplace. In 1957 Bradford Institute of Technology was established to take over the higher education role of Bradford Technical College.
Professor Brian Cantor, Vice-Chancellor of the University, said: “Our 50th anniversary is a significant milestone in our history and development. Over the last 50 years we have established a reputation as one of the world’s great technology universities, committed to delivering professional and vocational courses with great job prospects for our graduates, and to doing cutting-edge applied research that improves peoples’ lives directly. We believe fiercely in ‘Making Knowledge Work’. We look forward to maintaining and enhancing our contribution to society over the next 50 years.”
A series of events, including lectures, awards ceremonies and dinners, will mark the 50th anniversary during 2016.