By TD Gonkatsang
London, July 26: Tenzin Tharchin Shoba graduated with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering from Brighton University on Wednesday, and has won the Frederic Barnes Waldron Prize by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers as the Best Student for the year.
His parents Mr & Mrs Shoba attended the convocation ceremony at the University and were deservedly proud of their son topping the year and winning such a prestigious award and honour. In light of his meritorious achievement, Tenzin has already been offered a fully funded PhD program to research the effects of diesel fuel composition on atomisation and combustion. Wisely, he is considering all available options.
Tharchin, the second son of Mr T Dorje and Mrs K Chodon, was born in Kalimpong, India 1984. Tenzin and his elder brother Kalsang Dorje, who now works as a Research Assistant in Arts and Craft at Manchester University, studied at Saint Augustine School in Kalimpong. They immigrated to the UK in 1992. After completing his A-levels and a Foundation degree in engineering, Tenzin had started the Bachelor’s degree in 2004.
Tenzin is deservedly proud of his achievement but is quick to pay tribute to the faculty of his University for their support and encouragement. He says, “Throughout my A-levels, I enjoyed creative design and science. This love for creativity introduced me to the world of engineering. The main reason for choosing this field for my career was simply because of how impressive and interesting the work can be. Looking around every day, I see amazing cutting-edge engineering innovations, and to be part of a team responsible for some of these marvels would be incredible.”
Recalling his graduate study program he says, “Meeting and studying with students from different countries around the world has been very stimulating and rewarding. At the same time, I am proud of my heritage; and being a Tibetan is very special to me. I love all it stands for, and my parents have always reminded me of my identity and cultural roots.”
Tenzin is no swot. He enjoys reading, both fiction and non-fiction, and a keen and competent sportsman. He recalls, “Growing up in Brighton has been a great experience. With a Sports Centre surrounded by lush green playing fields, the rolling hills of the Downs for walks, and the promenade by the sea, there was always something to keep everyone occupied.”
Through Secondary school and A-levels, Tenzin had devoted his time judiciously between studies, sports and, socialising with the local community as well as his own Tibetan community in Britain.
