Awards made to CQTian of the Year 2012 and CQT's Got Talent winner

Tarzan (Troy Lee) and the zebra (Evon Tan) took home awards from the CQT Annual Event on 12 December

The Centre for Quantum Technologies likes to celebrate the achievements of its staff, scientific or otherwise. Two awards were made on 12 December to people who shine for their contributions to the CQT community: Evon Tan, Admin Executive, was named CQTian of the Year 2012 for all she does to keep the Centre running smoothly, and Troy Lee, Senior Research Fellow, was selected from a crop of excellent performers as the winner in the CQT's Got Talent competition.

Both awards were presented at the Centre's safari-themed annual event (this is why Troy and Evon, pictured right, appear as tarzan and a zebra), held at Hotel Fort Canning.

The CQTian of the Year award was founded last year by CQT director Artur Ekert to recognise exceptional contributions by CQTians to the spirit of the place. Evon was selected as this year's winner after an open call for nominations. Many people had nice things to say about many CQTians in the nominations, but Evon was a clear choice for the committee tasked with making the final decision. Evon, who had originally been named a member of the selection committee, was excluded from the discussion.

She is recognised "for her dedication to the Centre for Quantum Technologies. Her extraordinary efficiency and professionalism in handling administrative matters and events makes life at CQT run smoothly for staff, students and visitors alike. We thank Evon for always being ready to help."

The award consists of a commemorative trophy, a certificate and a monetary prize. On collecting the award, Evon thanked people for their nominations and said that really she would have liked to share the award. She said the Centre's O2 team, which organises social events for CQTians, deserves recognition for their contributions to making CQT a lively place. Evon also thanks Chan Chui Theng, "without her, I really couldn't function as I do. She is a great mentor, boss and friend at CQT". She adds "and I thank Artur, our Director. he always says that when we do things well, it is our success but if we get things wrong, he'll take the blame. With this assurance, it helps a lot and makes things easier."

Troy was one of five acts in the CQT's Got Talent competition, which provided entertainment during the annual event. He juggled eggs, knives, fire and a frying pan in a ten-minute show that ended, impressively, with a cooked omelette. He was voted the winner from a strong field of talent. CQTians also enjoyed performances from Li Xue, a professional classical Chinese musician, who played the dulcimer; Ng Xin Zhao, who demonstrated tai chi while wearing a brain band that displays brain activity; Cai Yu and Liu Shan Shan, who performed acoustic pop songs with guitar and voice, and Tan Si-Hui and her partner dancing the tango.

CQTians, please join us in thanking the participants and congratulating the award winners... then watch Troy in action again.

CQT's Got Talent: Troy Lee from Centre for Quantum Technologies on Vimeo.