HE'S a self-confessed gaming addict who spends at least three hours a day on the computer. But he's no slacker in school.

Yesterday, Tan Ying Quan, 19, was all smiles when his name was announced as one of the top students in Jurong Junior College.

He scored four As and has been a high achiever in his JC life. In 2007, the entrepreneur set up an e-gaming centre in his school - a controversial move, he says.

However, he worked hard to foster a positive environment - by making it a bright, cosy place for students to hang out.

Last July, he and two schoolmates beat six other teams to win the gold medal at the Students for the Advancement of Global Entrepreneurship (Sage) World Cup.

They won the competition with a novel idea: How to battle gaming addiction.

Said Ying Quan: 'We have rules at our centre - only three hours per student - and this teaches students how to limit themselves and not get addicted.'

He said this was why he did well in the A-level exams. He said that the gaming group he hung out with often studied together as well.

So focused was Ying Quan that he dreamt of being one of the few students whose names were announced by the vice-principal yesterday.

He added: 'It was a dream to see my name flashed as one of the top students in the JC. I'm glad I have achieved that.'

This article was first published in The New Paper.