High profile figures from the BBC, ITV and the world of entertainment praised the calibre of the University of Salford’s media students at two glitzy awards ceremonies earlier this month.
The University of Salford Student Journalism Awards, hosted by the BBC at MediaCityUK, and the BAFTARS (BA Film and Television Awards), hosted at the University’s MediaCityUK Campus, recognised the outstanding work of Salford’s Television, Radio and Journalism students.
TV and radio legend Terry Christian brought his unique brand of charm and wit as host of the BAFTARS, which saw 120 members of staff, students, families and industry figures, such as veteran BBC Proms Studio Director John Kirby, pack out the University’s Digital Performance Lab to celebrate the best of Salford’s Television and Radio students.
Coronation Street’s double BAFTA winning story editor and BAFTAR Judge, Kate Brooks, praised the creativity of the Television and Radio students, saying “All of the nominations are of a very high standard. I was so impressed by what you’ve all done. You are all so creative. It just blew me away”
Later in the week the University recognised the work of Journalism students in the heart of the BBC’s Northern HQ, Quay House.
With over 300 students eligible for Student Journalism Awards, Industry judges including BBC Sport presenter Mark Chapman and ITV Granada Reports editor Lucy West had a tough job picking the winning entries in categories covering TV, radio, print and online journalism.
BBC Radio 5 Live’s Editor Jonathan Wall, opened the evening with a speech to the audience of Journalism students and invited guests from the BBC, ITV, print and online journalism, paying tribute to the ways in which MediaCity has transformed Manchester and Salford.
He said: “Things like this in the media industry don’t kind of happen on this scale: whether it’s the very future thinking part of the BBC; whether it’s Coronation Street and its new set doing HD; whether it’s the Salford media students in their totally amazing facilities. It’s quite extraordinary.”
Emilia Mincheva, speaking after she won The Eddie Lowey Award for Outstanding Student of the Year, said: “This award is a great honour and I would like to say a big thank you to my tutors who have always been there for me. It is an unexpected but flattering end to my three-year journalistic journey at The University of Salford.”
Photo:Terry Christian hosting the BAFTARS
