Nov 27, 2016 09:30 AM EST By Jane Reed, UniversityHerald Reporter

During an event at the Grosvenor House Hotel in London, the Times Higher Education Awards 2016 recognized UK schools, colleges and universities that made astounding and critical contributions when it comes to education.

There were 20 categories during the awards ceremony and it was hosted by actor Richard E. Grant. During the awarding, universities called were praised for their methods in teaching, research, student support system, outreach programs and entrepreneurial programs.

Out of all the UK universities, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine received the highest honor as the University of the Year, cites Times Higher Education. The judges involved in the awards chose the school for its extraordinary response to the recent Ebola crisis.

The university created a task force that deployed teams into target areas that are affected by the disease. That allowed professional researchers and experts to work on the medical epidemic without risking loss of funds.

Aside from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, the University of Salford was awarded with Research Project of the Year because of their work on how radiation has affected the ecosystem in Chernobyl.

The University of Wolverhampton won the award for Outstanding Support for Students because they focused on creating a program aimed at students with suicidal thoughts. While the University of Surrey received the Data Points Merit Award for their outstanding work on analyzing data by the THE.

The Lord Dearing Lifetime Achievement Award, was however, given to the University of Cambridge's chancellor - Lord Sainsbury of Turville. He was described as an effective supporter of science. He was also the former minister for science and innovation.

Times Higher Education editor, John Gill, said that UK universities and colleges faced major challenges this year because of Brexit. He emphasizes that the schools that have been recognized during the event is a reminder that they are a strong community. He calls the group "world class."

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