GLASGOW University has won the top accolade at The Herald's 2016 Higher Education Awards.
The university was voted Higher Education Institution of the Year with judges praising staff for pushing the boundaries in technology, science, law and the arts.
It is the second year in a row the university has claimed the top honour in the Herald's awards, which are run in association with the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and throw the spotlight on innovation in teaching and research across the sector.
The awards – which are also supported by QAA Scotland, Universities Scotland, Anderson Strathern, technology provider Jisc, City of Glasgow College, the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA), media company ABSOLUTE and the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) – were hosted by Scottish broadcaster Sally Magnusson at an event at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Glasgow.
Presenting the top honour to Glasgow University, Alun Thomas, head of Anderson Strathern’s education group, said: "This is a fantastic night which recognises the brilliant work being done in the Scottish higher education sector.
"We would like to congratulate all the finalists, but in particular Glasgow University for winning the Institution of the Year Award."
Professor Craig Mahoney, principal of UWS, also paid tribute to the successful finalists and stressed how important it was to raise awareness of the success story of Scottish higher education.
He said: "It was a pleasure to see the standard of entrants across all categories. The quality of work being done is astounding and I would like to congratulate all institutions for their fantastic submissions."
The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award was John Norman Macleod of Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO), the National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture on the Isle of Skye.
Prior to his appointment, SMO was an independent college offering seasonal short courses in Gaelic language and culture, but today it offers five honours degrees as well as postgraduate courses.
A spokesman for City of Glasgow College, which sponsored the award, said: "Education is at the heart of everything we do and this event is a great way to celebrate the tremendous work and commitment of Scotland's universities and colleges.
"We would like to congratulate all the entrants and particularly like to pay tribute to John for winning the Lifetime Achievement Award which we were delighted to support this year."
Glasgow University also won the Innovation Technology Excellence Award, which was presented by Jason Miles-Campbell, head of award sponsor Jisc Scotland.
He said: "Once again we’ve seen Scotland at the forefront of digital in education and the finalists demonstrated how digital has the power to transform learning, teaching and research.
"The winner stood out through the innovative use of technology-enhanced feedback to assist students getting to grips with difficult concepts in maths and statistics. Huge congratulations must go to Glasgow University."
The Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, in Glasgow, won the Widening Access Award, sponsored by the SFC, for the work it has done to ensure equal access for students from more disadvantaged backgrounds.
Professor Alice Brown, chair of the SFC, said: “The quality of entries for the category was truly exceptional, which is a reflection of the impressive work going on in our colleges and universities to open up opportunities for people across Scotland.
"Warmest congratulations to the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. This award is well-deserved recognition of their commitment and hard work and the new and innovative approach they have taken to addressing the important aim of widening access."
Dr Janet Brown, chief executive of the SQA, which sponsored the Outstanding Employer Engagement category, paid tribute to award winner UWS.
She said: "We have heard about some great work from the finalists in the category and how they deliver employers' workforce development needs. I'd like to congratulate all the finalists and in particular category winner UWS on its success."
Alastair Sim, director of Universities Scotland, who presented the Partnership Award, said: “Congratulations to Edinburgh Napier University on winning this category.
"These awards are a fitting recognition for the tremendous work being produced by Scotland’s higher education sector."
Chris Hodgen, managing director at ABSOLUTE, said: “We would like to congratulate all the winners and finalists from this event including Edinburgh University for winning the Campaign of the Year Award.
"This is a fantastic evening showcasing not only the best creative work going on in the Scottish higher education sector, but some exceptional work across the board. Well done to everyone involved.”
Rowena Pelik, director of QAA Scotland, added: "This is a fantastic celebration of the strength of Scotland’s universities. It really is both an honour and a privilege to be part of this event and to contribute to what makes higher education in Scotland amongst the best in the world."
Full details of the evening, including footage and pictures from the event can be viewed at www.herald-events.com/heawards.
2016 Shortlist & Winners
Student Support Team of the Year
Edinburgh Napier University - The Confident Futures (CF) initiative
Glasgow Caledonian University - The Disability Team - Commendation
University of Edinburgh - The International Student Advisory Service (ISAS)
University of Glasgow - Counselling and Psychological Service - Winner
Academic Support Team of the Year
Heriot-Watt University - The Research Futures Team
University of Glasgow - The Medical Genetics Teaching Team
University of The Highlands and Island’s - Educational Development Unit - Winner
Outstanding Contribution from a Student
Claudia Wasige - University of Glasgow - Winner
Fergus Taylor - University of Glasgow - Commendation
John Beattie - University of the West of Scotland
Natasha Kerr - Ayrshire College
Robert Murray - University of Stirling
Enhancing Student Learning Award - Sponsored by QAA Scotland
Glasgow Caledonian University - Using simulation in Learning Disability Nurse Education - Winner
University of Glasgow - School of Psychology
University of Stirling - Being Dementia Smart [BDS] - Winner
University of Strathclyde – DMEM
Research Project of the Year
Heriot-Watt University & University of Edinburgh - The Edinburgh Super-Resolution Imaging - Commendation
University of Glasgow & University of Strathclyde - Gravitational Waves - Winner
Outstanding Employer Engagement - Sponsored by SQA
Ayrshire College - Making Your Business Our Business
Glasgow Caledonian University - The School for Work Based Education (SWBE)
University of Glasgow - Careers Service and RSIO
University of the West of Scotland - Strategic partnership with St Mirren Football Club – Winner
Outstanding Contribution to the Local Community
Glasgow Caledonian University - Gathering the Voices
Queen Margaret University - Queen Margaret Children's University
University of Glasgow - Superhero Science: Agents of A.W.E.S.O.M.E – Winner
University of the West of Scotland - Jenny’s Diary
Partnership Award - Sponsored by Universities Scotland
Abertay University - Dundee Academy of Sport
Edinburgh Napier University - Scottish Prison Service & Fife College – Winner
Glasgow Clyde College - NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHS GGC)
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) - Land-based Strategy
Campaign of the Year - Sponsored by ABSOLUTE
City of Glasgow College & Nil By Mouth - Kiss Bigotry Goodbye
University of Edinburgh - #LetsTalk – Mental Health and Wellbeing Awareness Week – Winner
University of Glasgow - Gravitational Waves Coverage
University of Glasgow - World Changers Welcome
Widening Access Award - Sponsored by Scottish Funding Council
Queen Margaret University - Mad People's History and Identity
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland – Winner
University of Glasgow - FOCUS West
Innovation Technology Excellence Award - Sponsored by Jisc
Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) - Animal and Equine Department
University of Glasgow – School of Mathematics and Statistics – Winner
Lifetime Achievement Award - Sponsored by City of Glasgow College
John Norman MacLeod - Sabhal Mòr Ostaig (SMO)
Higher Education Institution of the Year - Sponsored by Anderson Strathern
University of Glasgow
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