Maryam: I’m Maryam – and I AM BCU. BCU alumni like me have been changing society for 180 years. There are more than a hundred thousand of us across the world each one of us different but connected and shaped by our shared experience here in Birmingham. An experience that Luke describes through his artwork, which can be seen across our city and region. Working at the point where art meets engineering, his large-scale sculptures are designed to be enjoyed by everyone, and give voice to under-represented communities. Our community is a network of people who are not afraid to make their ambitions a reality. People who have the confidence to take the opportunities life presents to them. People who leave their mark – whether this is on their communities, their industries or by forging a path for others to follow. Clair has certainly left her mark – on her city and the lives of countless children who live here. Her own experiences of growing up in Birmingham shaped her approach to her career and she has subsequently dedicated two decades of her life to ensuring the children of her home city have people championing their rights, and protecting them from harm. Because BCU alumni like us are barrier breakers. We are local heroes. We are industry icons. Take Patrick, for example. His work has been seen by millions - he is the designer of the iconic Renault Twingo. One of the leading automotive designers in history, his designs have birthed more than 60 million cars. But our graduates don’t just go on to achieve their own potential – they dedicate their own work to ensuring others can discover how much they have to offer. Casey does this through his creative endeavours and his work in schools – with a commitment to reducing inequality and tackling disadvantage. And Izabella has forged her own path and has made things happen not just for her – but for those who will come after her. She started her engineering career as the only woman in her department. Far from feeling disheartened, she has carved out a career which has inspired a new generation of female engineers ready to take the industry by storm. Because BCU graduates don’t always take the expected route. They are people who think creatively, embrace change, understand the value of community, and have the determination to make things happen. That’s how one of our community ended up being responsible for the restoration of a national landmark. Using his love for clocks and the grounding he received at BCU, Keith has developed a career as a master craftsman whose skills are sought after all over the world over – which led him to the work to repair and preserve the most famous clock in the world – Big Ben. And I understand the value of looking for the road less travelled. BCU gave me a platform to launch a career that seemed out of reach before I came here. But with the confidence I gained here, my portrait photography career has really taken off. I’ve won awards, worked on TV shows and brushed shoulders with people from all walks of life. BCU’s ambition for close to two centuries has been to create a foundation for graduates like me, who make a real difference to people’s lives. From horology to healthcare, from English to engineering, and from finance to fashion our alumni transform society in a myriad of ways. Because our journey with BCU doesn’t end when we cross the stage at our graduation. We want to give back, inspiring students of the future to make the most of their experience and giving them permission to dream a little bigger. Our alumni community is growing every year, continuing to evolve and succeed; to achieve our wildest dreams. No matter where we are in the world, we will always be a part of BCU.