STAR Trek celebrity Patrick Stewart thinks Huddersfield University’s new £4m media centre is out of this world.
The Hollywood star officially opened the centre yesterday and met some of the lucky journalism students who will benefit from £4m worth of new technology.
The Mirfield-born actor is chancellor of the university and has been there all week meeting students and presenting degrees and awards.
The X-Men star told the Examiner: “It’s great to come back to Huddersfield.
“It has been good for all the six years that I’ve been chancellor.
“I’ve never had such an opportunity to spend a number of days here at the university.
“There’s a lot going on here this week as there always is.
“Perhaps the most significant thing is all the different degree ceremonies I have attended.
“But for me this week has been an opportunity to spend time privately at the university without media attention.
“I’ve been here talking to students and those who work in the departments.”
Stewart was impressed by the media centre – which is now one of the country’s leading university journalism suites.
The former Mirfield Reporter journalist chatted to students and gave them a few tips.
The department’s new kit includes the latest “tape-less” cameras, a high definition custom-built TV studio and gallery, a radio studio, video editing suites and desk-top publishing.
Head of Media and Journalism Alistair Billam said: “In this day and age, journalists need to be multi-skilled.
“Newspapers are increasingly sending out reporters with video cameras for their websites.
“We have a partnership with the BBC and they say that they want our journalism students to be multi-skilled when they go on placements.
“They need to be able to write for the BBC websites as well as film and use radio.”
Stewart stayed in town to switch the Christmas lights on in the Piazza later in the evening.
And on Saturday the football fan will watch Huddersfield Town take on Hartlepool United at the Galpharm Stadium.
