THE cream of student journalism gathered in Glasgow yesterday for the second annual Herald Student Press awards, the most prestigious prizes of their kind in Scotland.
The awards were presented at a ceremony at the Moat House Hotel, attended by The Herald editor Harry Reid and columnist Pat Kane, who was one of the judges.
Top prize, Student Journalist of the Year, went to Glasgow University student Paul O'Hare, who collected an engraved plaque, a cheque for #500, and a three-month paid placement on The Herald.
Scotland's top student newspaper award went to the Edinburgh Student, the Edinburgh University newspaper which was commended for its ''high quality'' and ''professional layout''. Editors Kathy Long and Sam Lister were also presented with a #500 cheque and an engraved plaque.
The winners were chosen by a panel of judges which included Scottish Education Minister Brian Wilson, course director of the post-graduate Scottish School of Journalism Studies at Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian universities, Jenny McKay, and Dr Carol Anderson, head of Scottish Literature at Glasgow University.
Mr Reid said the awards celebrated the very best in student journalism. ''The standard of submissions was considerably higher than last year, which is very encouraging.
''We have here today an equal mix of aspirant journalists alongside their more cynical counterparts already working in the industry. The best journalists are those who combine the idealistic with the sceptical.''
Ms McKay said: ''The standard of student papers in Scotland is excellent. They look so professional.''
Working in student journalism was, she said, invaluable as a preparation for a career in newspapers and the broadcast media. She also believed that winning a Herald student award or being a runner-up in any of the categories would greatly enhance the CV of any students intent on getting into journalism.
The runners-up were The Saint (St Andrews University) and the Glasgow University Magazine. They each received a cheque for #100.
Mr O'Hare, an undergraduate at Glasgow University, was named Student Journalist of the Year for a body of work which focused on the key issues affecting students.
The other nominees were Yakub Qureshi of the Glasgow University Guardian and the Glasgow University Magazine and Alistair Jamieson of Edinburgh Student.
The best news/features contribution was submitted by Hugh Odling-Smee (GUG and GUM). It included an interview with writer Bernard MacLaverty and a feature about a day in the life of Glasgow. The other nominees were Paul O'Hare and Vicky Riddell of the Strathclyde Telegraph.
Hanah McGill (GUM) won the best arts/entertainment contribution category. Stephen Phelan (Edinburgh Student) and Jennifer Currie (GUG) were also nominated.
Leon McDermott (GUM) was the winner in the best music contribution category. The other nominee was Clare Prentice for articles published in The List.
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