CQT’s Bob Chia and Mohammad Imran honoured on Singapore’s National Day

CQT's Mohammad Imran (left) and Bob Chia Zhi Neng (right) have been awarded medals that recognise merit and service to Singapore

Two members of the team that provide technical support for CQT’s research have received National Day Honours on Singapore’s 57th birthday. In the National Day Awards announced on 9 August, Bob Chia Zhi Neng receives the Commendation Medal and Mohammad Imran receives the Efficiency Medal. Congratulations to Bob and Imran!

Bob is CQT’s Mechanical Workshop Manager, who handles precision mechanical manufacturing of laboratory equipment. Imran takes on a wide range of jobs as Laboratory Technologist.

Bob earns The Commendation Medal (Pingat Kepujian) having “distinguished himself through commendable performance and conduct, or significant efficiency, competence and devotion to duty”. Bob can quickly fulfil requests for the custom-designed and built instrumentation often required for research in quantum technologies. As well as making parts himself using the workshop’s array of tools, Bob is also a mentor to students and researchers. He has guided many CQTians in how to design components and imparted practical skills.

The Efficiency Medal (Pingat Berkebolehan) is presented “for exceptional efficiency or exceptional devotion to duty or for work of special significance”. Imran is highly respected at CQT for his positive and efficient attitude. He handles tasks including the design of laboratory devices and maintaining process gases. His effectiveness in using laser cutting for plastic structures is known even beyond the Centre: during the pandemic, he helped to manufacture plastic parts for self-service kiosks in isolation facilities.

Bob and Imran are among 6258 individuals across 21 award categories to be honoured in 2022. The National Day Awards recognise merit and service to Singapore.