Food, farming and fashion are just a taste of what five University of Queensland (UQ) students will experience at this year’s Ekka.
UQ journalism students will be reporting on the sights and sounds of the 2012 Brisbane Exhibition alongside Nine News television professionals.
The program gives exceptional journalism students an opportunity to work in the field, producing video news content for Channel Nine’s online website, Ninemsn along with the Ekka’s own website.
This year the program includes five third year journalism students under the supervision of UQ School of Journalism and Communication lecturer and television industry professional Dr Bruce Redman.
Over the ten day Ekka period, students will script and record their stories in the field, rubbing shoulders with major media outlet Journalists from across the state.
Dr Redman says the program gives students direct hands-on experience in researching, pitching and writing stories, recording voice overs, presenting to camera and editing skills.
“This program has an 80% success rate of students continuing into a career in broadcast journalism," Dr Redman said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity for students to develop their skills and passion for journalism.”
In its third year of operation, the Ekka experience has seen previous "graduates” working in television with WINTV in Cairns, ABC in Brisbane and Mt Isa as well as a documentary production company in Sydney.
Meanwhile, UQ’s animal welfare and inspection students will team up with the State Government’s bio-security staff to ensure the health and welbeing of all animals at the Ekka.
Dr Mark Hohenhaus of UQ Gatton’s School of Agriculture & Food Sciences said eight students from the Associate Degree in Applied Science would be divided into two groups to undertake placements at the Ekka.
“They will be assisting officers in biosecurity and inspecting the health and welfare of the animals coming to the Ekka,” Dr Hohenhaus said.
“They will also assist RNA stewards in ensuring that the correct animals are present for classes and in the recording of results during the judging of the cattle.”
Dr Hohenhaus said this was a wonderful on-the-job-training opportunity for the students.
“This is the fourth year we’re undertaking this activity alongside state government bio-security officers,” he said.
“The students will not only gain valuable on-the-job skills but they will have the chance to showcase their ability to potential employers.”
Media: Dr Bruce Redman, +61 418 786 315, +61 7 334 68254, b.redman@uq.edu.au, Rhian Deutrom of the School of Journalism and Communication +61 7 3346 3465, +61 448 783 100, r.deutrom@uq.edu.au or Dr Mark Hohenhaus, +61 7 5460 1260, m.hohenhaus@uq.edu.au
