A LECTURER from East Morton is hanging-up his mortarboard after 40 years at the same college.

Baljit Panesar has held various teaching and managerial posts during his four decades at Bradford College.

And he even studied there for five years before joining the staff.

"I've been lucky to have been able to work in different subject areas including multicultural education and art and design," said Mr Panesar.

"In art and design, I have been inspired by the passion and love the lecturers have for the subject and their specialisms.

"They have shown that students, often from disadvantaged backgrounds, can progress from level one to masters-level study.

"I have been fortunate – through involvement in a number of overseas British Council-funded projects – to have travelled to places including Bollywood in Mumbai, Marks & Spencer's clothing manufacturing factory in Sri Lanka, University College in South Korea and, more recently, Kannur Polytechnic in Kerala, India, developing its textile technology course."

Mr Panesar was inspired to enter teaching by lecturers who taught him during a five-year apprenticeship in motor engineering.

His first lecturing role was in the subject.

After six years he switched to teaching multicultural education and completed a masters degree in race relations and community studies.

In the early 1990s he was promoted to senior lecturer and moved into the arts, combining teaching technical drawing with serving as equal opportunities co-ordinator for the School of Art, Design and Textiles.

He took-up his current post – as programme area leader for arts, further education – three years ago. He leaves at the end of this term.

Mr Panesar has been presented with a portrait of himself, produced by colleagues at the School of Art, and a certificate from college bosses.

He added: "I would like to thank the art and design staff for all their support over the years and for the fine portrait of me.

"I wish the college, its staff and students all the best for the future."