RCSI has been named a National Champion in the International Growth Strategy category in the European Business Awards. The College will now join 17 other organisations in representing Ireland as national champions in the European Business Awards. 526 businesses out of over 17,000 original entrants, from 31 countries, have been named as National Champions in their respective countries and hence progress to the next round.

The next stage will determine the National Public Champion which is based on the public vote. There is only one winner of this route per country who progresses to the final round, where the overall European Public Champion is then named.

RCSI can also progress to this round if selected by a panel of judges (based on our submission and video), who will choose 100 organisations to progress to the final round with a Ruban d'Honneur status (i.e. 31 National Public Champions move forward to the next round of the competition along with 100 Ruban d'Honneur recipients). The European Public Champion will be announced at in May 2014. If RCSI comes through this round the public vote will again come into play, along with a judge's vote. Voting for National Public Champion closes on Thursday, 2 January 2014.

Speaking on the accolade, Professor Cathal Kelly, CEO/Registrar, RCSI, said: "The foundations of our strategy are growth and excellence because we see our future as contingent on our ability to grow RCSI's international presence and reputation as a centre of excellence in healthcare professional education. It is an honour to receive such a prestigious award and I look forward to seeing if the College can advance further in this process."

Founded in 1784, RCSI's mission is to develop healthcare leaders who make a difference worldwide. RCSI is a not-for-profit health sciences organisation which focuses on education and research to drive positive change in all areas of human health worldwide. RCSI is headquartered in Dublin and is a recognised College of the National University of Ireland.

The European Business Awards was established in 2007 to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe. The Awards' aims to draw attention to and recognise our best businesses and what they are doing; to enable companies of all sizes and industries to compare themselves to and learn from the very best in Europe; and to stimulate the debate about the future shape, form and substance of the business community in Europe.