Alan Selby scoops Student Journalist of the year

Brunel journalism graduate, Alan Selby, has won the prestigious "Student Journalist of the Year" title from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). He received his award from ITN foreign correspondent Mark Austin last night at the NCTJ’s annual skills conference. Mirror Group trainee Alan, 24, graduated from Brunel with a MA in journalism and his NCTJ certificate in September.

"I was absolutely delighted to hear of the award. The last couple of years have been such hard work. I had no idea this is where I would be when I started at Brunel. I can’t thank everybody enough for supporting me," he said.

Kim Fletcher, chairman of the NCTJ congratulated Alan on his success and said he was impressed that Alan had achieved 120 wpm in his shorthand. The former editor of the Independent on Sunday said that the judges had been impressed by all thirteen award winners and that the young journalists: "Are proof that the great hallmarks of journalism endure hard work, determination, quality stories and a little mischief."

Paul Lashmar, a journalism course leader from Brunel says Alan has been an inspiring student and deserved his success. "Alan is hooked on journalism and has natural talent backed up by hard work. He’s had an amazing year with getting his MA, his NCTJ certificate, he won a much sought after place on the Mirror group training scheme and now this NCTJ award."

Brunel runs both a BA and an MA in Journalism that accredited by the NCTJ. "Accreditation means that we meet the news industry’s tough requirements for training journalists. A graduate leaving with NCTJ qualifications has a far greater chance of getting a job in the mainstream media than those that don’t. Students have to work hard for these qualifications," says Lashmar.

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