By Silja Slepnjov, Editor
The University of Strathclyde was named the Entrepreneurial University of the Year at the Times Higher Education Awards last week.
The ceremony held on the 28th of November in London, hosted by famous comedian and presenter, Sandi Toksvig.
The University of Huddersfield took home the highest award title of THE University of the Year 2013.
The Entrepreneurial University of the Year award is made to universities that have “developed an environment and culture that fosters enterprising attitudes among all members of its community and delivers significant entrepreneurial impact at regional, national and international levels.”
Keith Burnley, chief executive of the National Centre for Entrepreneurship in Education and a member of its judging team, was impressed by the university’s commitment to “challenging traditional boundaries”, “questioning our own approaches” and “encouraging innovation in all that we do”.
What made it stand out in particular was its “commitment to developing an environment that fosters entrepreneurial thinking and delivers significant entrepreneurial impact”.
University of Strathclyde Principal Professor Sir Jim McDonald said: “This is a magnificent achievement for the University. Winning one award is a great success in itself but awards in three consecutive years are a testament to the quality and quantity of work by everyone at Strathclyde.
The University was also highly commended for its project ‘Hemosep’, a pioneering blood salvage technology for use in life-saving operations under the Outstanding Contribution to Innovation and Technology category.
This is the third year the University has enjoyed success at the prestigious awards, having won the award for Research Project of the Year in 2011 and being named of University of the Year in 2012.
The University of Strathclyde has created more than 50 spin-out companies, making annual sales of £80 million and employing more than 700 people. It has also created 84 student and alumni companies, employing 200 people.
