By Luke Smith
Matthew (centre) receiving his award from BBC Presenter Nick Owen (left) and NCTJ Chief Executive Joanne Butcher (right)A De Montfort University journalism student has collected a top national shorthand award at the BBC Academy in Birmingham.
Matthew Chandler, a second-year student, was presented the award at the National Council for the Training for Journalists (NCTJ) Student Council day on Friday (Feb 2).
The award was presented to Matthew by Nick Owen, host of BBC Midlands Today.
Matthew said: “I won the Society of Editors shorthand award for 100 words per minute, which I passed last March with 100 per cent. I have also passed 120 wpm.
“Shorthand has always come naturally to me, but I was very pleased to win this award and the £250 wasn’t half bad either.
“I found the anecdotes from Nick Owen very interesting to listen to, he was a good choice of speaker and presenter. I really enjoyed listening to him and meeting him.”
Matthew was chosen for this award from hundreds of students who currently study on the NCTJ programmes across the country.
The event was presented as part of the NCTJ’s Annual Student Council event, which members of the Student Council attended to represent their respective NCTJ-accredited media centres and offer their advice as to how the courses could be improved.
Presenter, Nick Owen, has previously presented ‘Good Morning with Anne and Nick,’ the 1988 Olympic Games, European Championships 1988, and the 1990 FIFA World Cup. He is also a former chairman of Luton Town Football Club.
