The University of Strathclyde has been named the UK's University of the Year in the 2012 Times Higher Education Awards.
Praised for its close links with business and industry and its commitment to making an impact on the global economy, Strathclyde was chosen ahead of five other shortlisted institutions to take one of the highest accolades in higher education.
Judges described the University as a "bold, imaginative and innovative institution" and said the University's dedication to working with industry took concrete form in the past year, giving a modern slant to its 18th Century founder's vision of a 'place of useful learning'.
University Principal and Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Jim McDonald received the award at a ceremony at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, on Thursday (29 November 2012).
Sir Jim said: "This has been a transformational year for the University of Strathclyde, and to be recognised by the Times Higher as University of the Year is a great honour. The award reflects the hard work of staff across the University and their commitment to making a difference to our students, to our community and to wider society.
"Our vision as a leading international technological university has attracted overwhelming support from our partners in both the public and private sectors. This is yet another endorsement of our strategy.
"By working together, we can continue to touch lives around the world, by accelerating the development of new technologies and medicines, informing the development of public policy, supporting the economy, producing graduates ready for business and the professions and helping our industries compete on the global stage."
John Gill, Editor of the Times Higher Education, said: "The University of Strathclyde stood out as an institution that had an extraordinary understanding of where it was, where it wanted to be and how it wanted to get there. Its focus on 'useful learning' had come together in an impressive way in the past 12 months and the judges were clear that it was a worthy winner of the University of the Year title."
The ceremony was attended by more than 1,000 members of the higher education community from around the United Kingdom.
There were more than 500 entries across 18 categories of the THE awards which are now in their eighth year.
The University was also shortlisted for three other categories, Entrepreneurial University of the Year, Outstanding Support for Early Career Researchers and Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community.
The Times Higher Education University of the Year award is sponsored by Santander Universities.