QUT journalism students have reported their way to success by dominating the national student journalism awards “The Ossies”.
The student journalists came out top in four categories and were highly commended in another four at the annual awards organised by the Journalism Education Association (South Pacific).
Overall QUT’s results doubled the next most successful institution’s awards tally.
Judged by media executives in Australia and New Zealand, the winning students were Rebecca Ayres for Best TV News Story, Susie Lipscomb for Best Radio News Story, Nina Plonka for Best Story by an International Student, and Michelle Mills for Best Print Feature by an Undergraduate.
Highly commended were Daniel Hurst for Print News, Britta Conroy and Lena Zhou for Online, Sarah West for TV Current Affairs and QUT News for Online Publication.
Award-winning German postgraduate student Nina Plonka wrote about mental illness and was judged by The Sydney Morning Herald’s Peter Kerr who praised her comprehensive, balanced and sympathetic overview of a sensitive subject.
“It is both informative and interesting in the telling, carrying the reader from beginning to end, and gives a good insight into the people interviewed and their lives and problems,” Mr Kerr said.
Journalism Professor Dr Alan Knight said the journalism school’s reputation for a strong teaching team, close links with industry, a vibrant internship network and production-based assessment is not only reaping success for current students but has also raised the graduate approval for the Bachelor of Journalism to well above the national average.
In the recent Australian Graduate Survey QUT’s journalism course scored 11 points above the national average for generic skills, 22 points above for teaching and 27 points above for overall satisfaction.
There is also strong demand with almost four times as many student applications than places available, making it one of the University’s most popular degrees.
To find out more about studying journalism at QUT visit the Creative Industries website. | 
