Two former journalism students have become the first recipients of two new awards sponsored by a regional publisher.

Archant announced last month that it would sponsor new prizes for the reporting and videojournalism sections of the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism Exam

The training body has now announced that the names of the first two students to receive the awards.

They are Jemima Owen, a former student at News Associates, London, who wins ther reporting prize, and Calum Leslie, a former student at Glasgow Caledonian University, who won the videojournalism award sponsored by Archant’s TV offshoot Mustard TV.

Jemima Owen, left, receives the reporting award from Archant's Laura Adams and NCTJ chairman Kim Fletcher

The pair, who each receive a certificate and £250 prize, gained the highest marks in the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism reporting exam paper and videojournalism for online paper respectively.

Jemima, who completed her course in February 2013 and is now freelancing, said: “I was absolutely thrilled to find out I’d won the reporting award, especially given how nervous I remember being before the exam!”

Callum, who graduated in 2013 with a MA in multimedia journalism, now works as a trainee journalist for BBC Scotland as part of the broadcaster’s referendum unit.

He said: “I’m delighted to pick up the award. It’s a nice reward after a lot of hard work. Plus it’s testament to the great courses – and staff – at Glasgow Caledonian University’s journalism department that we’re so well prepared for the NCTJ exams.”

The students were presented their awards by Archant London editorial director, Laura Adams at the NCTJ Student Council on Friday.

Said Laura: “I was delighted to be able to present these awards to two such outstanding students. Archant recognises the vital importance of good reporting and multi-media skills from well trained journalists in producing engaging, informative and accurate content for our newspapers, magazines, digital and broadcast media channels.”

Calum, left, receives his prize for online videojournalism from Laura Adams of Archant