‌‌During a memorable evening in an elegant historical theatre in Brussels, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard B Davies accepted the award alongside awards to successful businesses and organisations from around the world. These included well-known companies such as United Airlines, and Cathay Pacific.

A spokesperson for the Swiss-based awarding body (The European Society for Quality Research – ESQR) said: “Swansea University is to be congratulated for the remarkable and rapid progress it has made in recent years. It is a worthy winner of our Best Practice 2016 award in recognition of its outstanding commitment, support, and results in quality management strategies.”

‌Professor Davies said: “Swansea University’s achievements are being applauded beyond the UK. It was particularly thrilling that the award is for the totality of the University’s successes. It recognises us as a fully-effective University with excellence, innovation, and best practice underpinning all we do and with the proven flexibility to adjust quickly as the demands on higher education change from students, the government, and business. Favourable comments were made about our research reputation, excellent student experience, our collaboration with industry, and, of course, our new £450 million Science and Innovation Campus. It was noted that the University set ambitious agendas, moving at a pace not normally associated with Higher Education.

‌“The success of a university is the accumulated successes of staff across all academic areas and the administration. All my colleagues in Swansea can take pride in this special accolade.”