Curtin University alumnus and resources executive Mr Peter Bradford has been named an Honorary Doctor of the University for his distinguished services to Curtin through outstanding leadership, advocacy and philanthropic support of mining education.
Mr Bradford graduated from Curtin’s Western Australian School of Mines (WASM) in 1978 and connects his career success in the resources industry to his studies at the University. This, combined with his passion for education, has seen him go above and beyond to create scholarship opportunities for students facing financial hardship to study at WASM and more broadly across Curtin.
Curtin University Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Terry said she was honoured to present Mr Bradford with an Honorary Doctorate of the University for his exceptional contribution to Curtin and his commitment to giving students the life-changing gift to pursue higher education.
“Mr Bradford is a true champion of education, whose philanthropic and mentoring work has helped future generations embark on a career in the resources sector and thereby ensure a sustainable and robust WA mining economy,” Professor Terry said.
“He has personally established two endowment funds at Curtin – the IGO Scholarship supporting students to study at WASM and the Peter Bradford Scholarship which is open to students across all faculties. In addition, he is the Chair and founder of the successful Brighter Futures Scholarships Program, which to-date has raised $1.2 million to fund scholarships for Curtin students facing financial hardship.
“Mr Bradford also brings to Curtin more than 35 years of local and international experience in gold and base metals mining operations, exploration and development, as well as current industry knowledge and insight as the Director of Perth-based mining company IGO Limited.”
Mr Bradford is also a mentor to students, graduates and mining professionals and works to promote greater gender diversity in the industry as an active mentor with the Women in Mining Western Australia mentoring program.
As an industry leader, Mr Bradford has been named a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and President of the Association of Mining and Exploration Companies, as well as an honorary lifetime member and past President of the Ghana Chamber of Mines.
Mr Bradford was presented with his Honorary Doctorate of the University from Curtin University at a graduation ceremony on February 14.
