A community champion who has promoted equality in Suffolk for more than 25 years has received an honorary degree.

Boshor Ali, a founding member and now chair of BSC Multicultural Services, received the honour at the University of Suffolk on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Ali moved to the UK at the age of 16 and said his only formal education was an A-level in Bengali.

Boshor surrounded by his family, on the far left is Vice-Chancellor Prof Jeny Higham and on the far right is Chancellor Prof Helen PankhurstBoshor surrounded by his family, on the far left is Vice-Chancellor Prof Jeny Higham and on the far right is Chancellor Prof Helen Pankhurst (Image: University of Suffolk/Gregg Brown) He has become a stalwart in the Ipswich community for his work helping those facing inequalities as a result of social exclusion or poverty, and has driven efforts to help with education, health, business and cultural projects.

“I am deeply grateful to the University of Suffolk for honouring me with this doctoral degree, and I am very moved and humbled,” he said.

“I came to the UK with my family when I was 16 as a teenager, and I didn’t have any formal qualification apart from gaining an A-level in Bengali.

“If someone like me, whose highest qualification is only an A-level in Bengali – if I can come here and pick up an honorary degree, for you the sky is the limit.”

Boshor Ali received an honorary doctorate for his workBoshor Ali received an honorary doctorate for his work (Image: University of Suffolk/Gregg Brown) BSC Multicultural Services was founded in 1998 with just £250 under its original name of Bangladeshi Support Centre.

Among the organisation’s wide-ranging work has been support for the long-running Homework Club at Northgate High School; aiding English language lessons for children and families; multi-lingual support for those needing help with key public services such as council tax or housing needs; and partnering with NHS trusts to connect people with health services.

In addition, BSC Multicultural Services also organises the One Big Multicultural Festival in Ipswich’s Alexandra Park – which this year celebrated its 13th year – and the Global Food and Pita Festival.

Mr Ali said: “Back 27 years ago when we started this as Bangladeshi Support Centre, we never thought that we would come that far. You can’t even imagine it because we don’t really know what is going to happen tomorrow, but your aims and your vision needs to be in place.”

He also founded the Al-Tazid Foundation in 2005 in memory of his late father and works to support those in the Sylhet area of Bangladesh to improve housing, provide eye health clinics and boost education prospects for yong people.

BSCMS also work with the University of Suffolk to launch the BME Business Awards, which recognises black and minority ethnic (BME) firms, a partnership he says is “one of the most important things we started”.

Ipswich Town boss Kieran McKenna will also receive an honorary degree in addition to Sir Diarmaid MacCulloch; Mike Read MBE, and Professor David Croisdale-Appleby OBE.