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!”

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