A Charles Sturt University (CSU) alumnus is among a select group of journalist to be offered a 2016 Nieman Fellowship at Harvard University.

Mr Hamish Macdonald, who is currently a London-based international affairs correspondent with the American Broadcasting Company, studied journalism at the CSU School of Communication and Creative Industries in Bathurst.

He is now one of twenty-four American and international journalists chosen for the 78^th year-long class of 2016 Nieman Foundation fellows. They will study the subjects of their choice, and work to improve the state of journalism in the United States and worldwide.

Mr Macdonald will study the intersection of traditional international affairs reporting with innovative, contemporary modes of storytelling to develop new models for collaboration and delivery.

"I'm absolutely thrilled to be chosen as part of this 2016 Nieman Fellowship class and to be moving to Harvard," Mr Macdonald said. "It's going to be a hugely exciting and challenging year. This will be an opportunity to both reflect on my professional experiences to date and to give deep consideration to where the industry is headed in the future.

"As always, I look forward to sharing my experiences with the students at Charles Sturt University when the opportunity arises. So many of my professional endeavours have been grounded in the experiences I gained at the University. The network of friends and colleagues I made in Bathurst now spreads through newsrooms worldwide and provides a constant source of ongoing learning, creative collaboration, and professional support."

Head of the School of Communication and Creative Industries, Associate Professor Chika Anyanwu, said, "On behalf of the staff and students of the School, I congratulate Hamish and we wish him success. Hamish was an outstanding student, and he has subsequently, and very generously, returned to the University to speak enthusiastically to current journalism students about his experiences in the media industry. The Nieman Fellowship is a fitting next-step in this new phase of his career."

CSU journalism lecturer Mr Harry Dillon taught Mr Macdonald and praised his outstanding talent, drive and enthusiasm as a student which now gives him an edge as a working journalist.

"Hamish's family has other members involved in the media and his abilities were clear when he was a journalism student here," Mr Dillon said. "After graduation he was immediately recruited by news organisations and built an international career working for large companies such as Al Jazeera.

"Not only is he a great on-the-ground reporter, but he has filled high-profile program presentation and anchoring roles, so he is a terrific all-round performer in broadcast television. It's been thrilling to watch Hamish's career over the years because it's been filled with variety, challenges and expanding horizons."

In recent years Mr Macdonald had star status in Australia with Channel Ten in various roles, including his three-part roving global reporter program The Truth Is. During this past summer he hosted a major ABC breakfast radio program in Sydney.

Mr Dillon said it was important to note that when Mr Macdonald has been in Australia he has generously given his time freely to meet with and encourage journalism students at CSU in Bathurst.

"While he's always very forthright about his personal views and has enjoyed major success, Hamish keeps his feet firmly on the ground without seeking adulation," Mr Dillon said. "In undertaking a new challenge in the USA with support from the prominent Nieman Foundation, Hamish is again heading into new territory. I congratulate Hamish and wish him every success."