Charles Sturt University’s Saskia Moore has been recognised as one of the most outstanding advertising students in the world, after beating a field of 20 students from around the globe to win the inaugural International Advertising Association’s Harrison Award.

Academics at the IAA’s 46 accredited institutes were asked to recommend only “the best and brightest” students for the award, which provides financial support for the most outstanding student.

Ms Moore, a third-year Bachelor of Arts (Communication – Advertising) student at the Bathurst Campus was recommended for the award by CSU’s advertising course coordinator, Peter McDonald.

In addition to the recommendation of her lecturer, Ms Moore, 20, also needed to demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, participation in the IAA’s InterAd student advertising awards and submit a 500 word essay on her career aspirations.

Mr McDonald said he had no hesitation recommending Ms Moore for the award, after observing her involvement with CSU’s award winning student advertising agency, Kajulu.

“Saskia played an inspirational role in challenging her team members to push themselves - again and again - to a level well beyond anything she or they had previously thought possible,” Mr McDonald said.

Ms Moore was also a CSU Foundation Scholarship recipient this year.

The IAA established the Harrison Award this year in memory of advertising pioneer Harold Harrison. The awards also recognise achievements by faculty members of IAA accredited institutes, with Mr McDonald placed third out of 30 worldwide entries.

Winners of the Harrison Awards were selected by the IAA’s worldwide professional development team and a select group of senior marketing communications professionals from all sectors of the industry, including advertisers, agencies, media, and academia.