The International Association of Business Communicators Philippines (IABC Philippines) has launched the First Philippine Student Quill Awards, a new contest that aims to honor communication excellence in college levels nationwide.

The Philippine Student Quill aims to showcase outstanding communication work by the country’s next generation of communication professionals—students of communication, public relations, business, journalism, graphic design, marketing, advertising, and other similar fields in universities and colleges nationwide.

An off-shoot of the Philippine Quill, the land’s highest recognition in business communication, the Philippine Student Quill Awards will gather the best works of students nationwide in the following categories: Social Media/Technology, Publications, Writing, Communication Campaigns, and Communication Creative.

Entries can be websites, interactive programs, blogs, magazines, newsletters, reports, articles, scripts, speeches, campaigns, artworks, pictures, or videos that were produced in the entrant’s capacity as full-time or part-time student in a college or university, within the period of September 2011 to August 2012.

University- and college-based student organizations can field entries from the activities they undertook such as recruitment activities, general assemblies, podcasts, fundraising projects or outreach activities. Students can also enter the works they submitted in fulfillment of their academic requirements such as advertising or public relations campaigns, digital media, or graphic designs. Campus journalists can also enter their publications, photographs or articles.

IABC Philippines President Ritzi Ronquillo said participation in the Philippine Student Quill Awards will enable students of business and communication-related courses to be familiar with the quality of work expected from them in their future industries.

“Through the Philippine Student Quill Awards, they will be able to see if the projects they come up with in school are able to meet the criteria being followed in the professional ranks. We want to train them now based on industry standards so they can enter their chosen field ready to excel and make a difference,” she explained.

To be able to do this, the Student Quill will follow the same international judging guidelines of the Philippine Quill. Senior communicators will evaluate the students’ entries to determine the finalists, Merit Awardees, Excellence Awardees, and one Top Award recipient of the year.

IABC Philippines vice president and the Quill Awards committee chairman Kane Errol Choa added that recognition from the Student Quill can boost a student’s chance in making it to his or her chosen field.

“Receiving an award from a respected organization such as the IABC as a student is already an achievement that can strengthen any resume. Add to that the knowledge you take home from putting together your work plan and work sample for this contest,” he said.

For a better chance of winning, students are invited to attend the IABC Philippines’ free workshop on “How to write a Quill” on August 17, 2012 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at ABS-CBN Studio Tours Office, G/F ELJ Communications Center in Quezon City.

Submission of entries will end on August 31, 2012. The award mechanics and entry form are available online at www.iabc.com.ph and at www.iabcphilippines.com. For inquiries, contact the IABC Philippines Secretariat at 756-0441 or telefax 756-0424 or email studentquill@iabc.com.ph.

Image Credit: IABC