Gates scholar meets the Queen

  • April 28, 2011
Gates scholar meets the Queen

Rajna Golubic is chosen to meet the Queen at St John's celebrations.

Gates scholar Rajna Golubic was one of 10 students chosen to attend a lunch with the Queen as part of St John’s College’s quincentenary celebrations this week.

Rajna [2008] from Croatia was invited to attend a lunch in the College’s Senior Combination Room with The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh on Wednesday, two days before the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. Around 50 people, including the Vice Chancellor of the University of Cambridge and Cambridge academics, also attended.

The lunch was followed by a garden party during which around 25 students, including Gates scholar Surabhi Ranganathan (2008), were presented to the Queen at the Upper Paddock of the College.

Rajna, who is studying for a PhD in Epidemiology, says: “I had a privilege to be presented by the Master as a student leader and a Gates Scholar and after that I presented a group of students to the Queen. Only three or four of us were recognised as student leaders and were in charge of introducing other selected students.”

The Queen asked about her research into physical activity and how it relates to obesity and type 2 diabetes. She says: “The Queen recognised it as a very important issue. The Master introduced me as a Gates scholar and she said: Oh, that’s great!”

Latest News

Two Scholars appointed to leading energy think tank

Two Gates Cambridge Scholars have been appointed Assistant Directors of a prestigious energy think tank on sustainable energy solutions. Ramit Debnath and Kamiar Mohaddes are two of the three new […]

Gates Cambridge: Impact in human rights

Gates Cambridge Scholars have had a big impact in the field of human rights, from international law to women’s and indigenous rights. Many Scholars are involved in some way in […]

How digital magazines have influenced African literary networks

Ayobami Adebayo is a prize-winning novelist and is not only part of an impressive literary couple with husband Emmanuel Iduma, but also a Gates Cambridge partnership. Both she and Emmanuel […]

Scholars take part in Day of Service

Thirty-six Scholars took part in a Day of Service this weekend, reviving an old Gates Cambridge tradition and extending it to alumni. The Scholars participated in service projects targeting food […]