30 November 2012 Last updated at 06:40 ET

Strathclyde named top UK university at Times Higher Education awards

Strathclyde University in Glasgow has been named UK university of the year at the Times Higher Education Awards.

Judges at the ceremony in London said it was a "bold, imaginative and innovative institution" which had shown dedication to working with industry.

The award was presented to Strathclyde University principal and vice-chancellor Professor Sir Jim McDonald.

The event was attended by more than 1,000 people from across the UK's higher education sector.

John Gill, editor of Times Higher Education (THE), 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."

'Transformational year'

Strathclyde University claimed the award ahead of five other shortlisted institutions from across the UK.

Professor McDonald said the past 12 months had been "a transformational year for the university" and to be recognised with a THE award was "a great honour".

He said: "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."

There were more than 500 entries across 18 categories at the THE awards.