Saturday, November 18, 2006

Lunch with Shell Centenary Scholars

The highlight for the week was a lunch organised by the Shell Centenary Scholarship Fund. The event was also held in conjunction to tie in with an individual photo-taking session. The photos would later be inserted into the Shell Scholar website. So stay tuned, and you will be able to view this year's scholars, UK and Europe wide, by the end of this year.



Trying to break tradition, I wanted to pose with a Mickey Mouse smile but was obviously stopped from doing so. So, I tried the Bugs Bunny's showy teeth pose, and the guy asked if I wanted a clip to clamp my lips. I was joking...


We had our lunch at a 510 year-old college, Jesus College. If numbers do tell stories, then 510 would give you an image of an old wooden dining hall with ancient wood carvings on the ceiling. Again, think Harry Potter. Yes, and Jesus College's dining hall fits that description.

The lunch menu


L to R: Bettina (Argentina), Me (mother's womb), Phuong (Vietnam), Khooi Yee (Malaysia), Danish (Pakistan), Nic (South Africa) and Maria (Colombia)

At the welcome reception. Receptions here usually go with sherry, juice or plain water before proceeding for lunch
This year's scholars have some surprises. Phuong (pronounced as Fung), for example is the first Vietnamese to be awarded a Shell scholarship to study in Cambridge. History was made. Bettina, Phuong and myself are from the same course and we represent the largest group from the same course. Engineering for Sustainable Development rocks! Shell attested that.

The lunch was a great opportunity to meet the other scholars in Cambridge. Otherwise, we may never know who they were.

The fine custom-made cutleries at the dining hall of Jesus College.


Lunch is served...

2 comments:

Wadi: said...

emmm, the setting, ambience and food looks elegant. Yeah, you are right. That Vietnamese Scholar is creating a history. You too Alden! remember, it's not easy to secure the Shell Centenary Scheme. Hope your picture turns good.

Anonymous said...

Hi, I am a student from Asia and will be doing an mphil at cambridge this october. I was asked to apply for the shell centenary scholarship a couple of days ago and have sent out my application to the Cambridge Trust. Do you know when I will hear from the shell fund? Will they send me an email if they want to have an interview with me? Thank you for your help.