The Circle (Kring) of Editors-in-chief of Higher Education Media gives out an annual prize for the best story. Traditionally, the announcement of the winner and the prize ceremony takes place during the annual Kring congress, which was held at TU/e’s campus this year. Approximately one hundred and thirty editors and freelancers from twenty editorial staffs took part in a morning program, which included a lecture by TU/e full professor Wijnand IJsselstein, and followed several workshops and lectures during the afternoon with the purpose of gaining new knowledge and skills.

The jury of the Kring Award had a really hard time this year determining a winner among the thirteen articles. A slightly different preference or emphasis could easily have led to other winners, according to the jury report.

Internationalization

It is noteworthy that the common theme of the three prize-winning articles this year is internationalization. According to the jury, Erasmus Magazine’s undercover operation results in “an important and shocking story about the impact of housing shortage among students and the helplessness of internationals.” The editorial staff was awarded the first prize, worth 250 euros.

UKrant, the news platform from the University of Groningen, was awarded second prize (150 euros) for a diptych about the prejudices and bad jokes international students are faced with. “With their own survey, UK’s editorial staff gives foreign students a voice and offers a different perspective on Dutch culture,” writes the jury.

The University of Twente’s news medium U-Today received the third prize (100 euros) for an article about psychological and social problems among foreign students. The jury report: “The editorial staff is not afraid to take a position, without losing sight of nuances.”

Last February, Cursor also published an extensive report on the subject of discrimination that international students are faced with in the world of student housing in Eindhoven.