A New Book Prize and Other Prizes Celebrated in Singapore
A new book prize has been launched, with a total payout of $30,000 – the richest pot for a Singapore book award. The Dr Alan HJ Chan Spirit of Singapore Book Prize is presented by the University of Social Sciences (SUSS) and aims to encourage writing that champions mindsets that were important to the shaping of Singapore. These include equality, diversity, religious harmony, meritocracy and pragmatism. The prize was established through a $1 million donation from Confucian scholar Alan Chan.
A leading archaeologist at NUS has won this year’s NUS Singapore History Prize, a new prize created to mark the city-state’s 50th anniversary of independence. Prof Miksic, from the Department of Southeast Asian Studies, was honoured for his work on Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea: 1300 to 1800. He said he plans to use the $50,000 prize money to further his research and training activities. “It also gives archaeology a certain credibility it didn’t have before,” he added.
The winners of the 2023 Singapore Prize were announced on Monday, with five global projects winning a share of PS1 million ($1.7 million) each. The winners, selected by a jury consisting of academics and other prominent figures, will use their winnings to scale up their environmental solutions and show the world that a waste-free world is possible, organisers said. They are expected to bring together business leaders, investors and other community members from around the globe to explore opportunities to implement their solutions.
Other winners of this year’s Singapore Prize included an academic who examined the cultural significance of the kebaya, and a film director who explored the roots of Singapore’s cinema. The winners of this year’s Singapore Prize will be feted at an awards ceremony in November.
In addition, the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize has been awarded for the second time in a row. This prestigious international award was named after Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and lauds individuals or organisations who have made significant contributions to achieving a sustainable water supply.
Meanwhile, the Earthshot Prize, a new award founded by Britain’s Prince William, will celebrate its third annual awards ceremony in Singapore next month. The winner of this award will be tasked with finding ways to speed up the world’s efforts to tackle environmental issues such as creating a waste-free world and fixing the planet’s climate. The event is set to feature performances from world-renowned musicians and artists. For more information, visit the official website.