More than most universities, Aston was shaped by its environment and given its mission by the practical needs of the world around it. This continues today. The municipal technical college of 1895, founded to supply skilled workers to the workshop of the world, has grown into a leading university giving its students entry to successful careers in science, technology, business, and healthcare. We are proud of this, just as we are proud to be the UK’s most diverse university; proud to consistently rate so highly in employment rates, year after year; proud of our students and our academics; proud, of course, of our alumni and their achievements. The bond between past and present is strong at Aston, which we see each year in the number of alumni who generously support students, fund vital research, and provide employment opportunities, ensuring that the routes they pioneered remain open to the next generation.