Taking a closer look at the news yesterday are Aoraki
Polytechnic journalism tutor Stu Oldham (centre, at head of
table) and journalism students (back, from left) Rachel
Harris, Derek Seymour, Jack Salter, Rachel Hannan,
Genevieve Robinson, Claire Emmerson, Siwan Gwynne and
(front, from left) Tim Miller-McAuley, Julian Crawford,
Michael Booth and Ben Guild. Photo by Peter McIntosh.
Moving a well-established journalism training course from
Timaru to Dunedin this year has added "new energy" and boosted
student numbers, organisers say.
The Aoraki Polytechnic diploma in journalism course began at
its new Dunedin venue this week and was already off to a
promising start, organisers said.
Polytechnic officials said the course had earlier been
"struggling for numbers", as fewer people sought to undertake
journalism training in Timaru.
Course tutor Stu Oldham said the Aoraki diploma in journalism
programme was well known and respected, having run since
1989.
The move to Dunedin had "given a new energy" to the course
and boosted student numbers, from eight last year to 12 this
year, he said.
The new arrangements were going well, and the 34-week course
was well supported by the Otago Daily Times and other
Dunedin-based media organisations, Mr Oldham said.
ODT editor Murray Kirkness gave an introductory talk
to students earlier this week.
About half the class are from Dunedin.
Tim Miller-McAuley (23), who previously attended the
Maniototo Area School, said he was enjoying the course,
having long been interested in news and current affairs.
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