Shiwei Yu, a student on the Documentary Photography and Photojournalism MA course, has been selected for the Canon Student Development Programme which will take place in September 2021.
Shiwei is one of 200 students selected from across the EMEA to take part in Canon’s prestigious Student Development Programme. The programme includes a series of inspirational talks, educational webinars and lectures hosted by photography professionals who will offer practical advice and insights to help students develop their skills. Students will also have the opportunity for their portfolios to be reviewed by acclaimed industry experts.
The bespoke educational programme has been designed to enhance students’ visual storytelling skills and to advance their careers.
Each student will be partnered with a mentor, from whom they will receive one-on-one preparation time, before their curated portfolios are critiqued in a group review session in September. This year, expert coaching will be provided by some of the world’s leading photography professionals, including Canon Ambassadors such as visual artist Laura El-Tantawy and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Muhammed Muheisen.
Shiwei is currently a student on the Documentary Photography and Photojournalism MA course at Westminster and was first introduced to the course by friends who recommended the University of Westminster for its professional facilities and expert academic team. After further research, the achievements and success of previous graduates and the opportunity to study in London confirmed Shiwei’s decision to enroll at Westminster.
Talking about being selected for the Canon Student Development Programme, Shiwei said: “I applied for this programme without hesitation after I knew that I would be able to have a one-to-one mentoring session with industry leaders and gain valuable industry and career advice. I am particularly looking forward to enhancing my presentation skills, finalising my portfolio and refining the project synopsis. In doing so, I hope to bring my work to the next level, thus improving the narrative and the strength of the visuals I produce. After completing the programme, I can combine the knowledge acquired from studying my MA at Westminster and the Canon programme to enrich my professional skills.”
Shiwei first heard of the programme from Course Leader of the Documentary Photography and Photojournalism MA, David Moore, who recommended a series of opportunities.
Moore said: “It’s great that our students are achieving this sort of recognition in the ‘real’ world of photography. Within the course we continually discuss the importance of being open to new opportunities and being equipped to approach them on one’s own terms.”
Find out more about Art, Design and Visual Culture courses at the University of Westminster.
