Taking part in the programme means being exposed to new ideas and meeting people from all walks of life. It’s a journey of discovery and a chance to share your passions with others. It’s also about gaining a deeper understanding of the world around you, says Prof Liu.
The prize was created in 2014 as part of the SG50 Singapore’s 50th anniversary programme to recognise important publications on the history of the nation. This year’s shortlist includes a biography of the iconic Indian poet Srinivasa Ramanujan, a study of the Chinese festival Qixi and another that delves into 20th century Singapore’s understudied labour and industrial history.
These works, curated by the NUS Singapore History Prize Jury Panel, offer fresh insights into Singapore’s history and are accessible to both specialists and non-specialist readers. The jury, chaired by NUS Asia Research Institute Distinguished Fellow Kishore Mahbubani, included novelist Meira Chand; historian and archaeologist Peter Coclanis; economist Lam San Ling; and NUS Department of Southeast Asian Studies Professor John Miksic.
A special mention was given to Hidayah Amin for her work, Leluhur: The History of Kampong Gelam. The author, who was born and grew up in the area, spent five years on the book. “Singapore’s heritage is very close to my heart,” she said. “It has helped shape my identity as a Singaporean.”
Prince William, who launched the prize in 2018, unveiled the winners at a ceremony at MediaCorp Theatre, with the winners walking down the green carpet with the prince and hosted by Hannah Waddingham of Ted Lasso. Winners were presented with awards made from recycled materials by the prince and celebrity actors Sterling K Brown and Bastille.
Besides winning a cash prize of $1m, the five winners get to attend a two-week accelerator program in Singapore that will give them access to global investors and networks. They will receive guidance from experts on how to make their projects scale and impact the world.
The NUS President’s Science and Technology Award (PSTA) honours top scientists for their outstanding contributions in upholding scientific excellence, nurturing a pool of top talent, and building national R&D ecosystems. It is the highest and most prestigious award given to researchers in Singapore by the government.
The finalists of the inaugural Earthshot Prize 2023 were announced at a ceremony at the MediaCorp Theatre in Singapore, with the prince and host Hannah Waddingham sporting green outfits, matching the colour of the thick green carpet they walked down. The Earthshot Programme is a series of environmental challenges designed to speed up solutions to repair the planet. It was founded by Prince William, who aims to inspire the next generation to solve our most pressing environmental challenges. The prince launched the competition in partnership with Eco-Business, an international sustainability consultancy. He is also the founder of the 1% for the Planet organisation. He also hosts a podcast called Earthshot Week, where he interviews entrepreneurs and innovators from around the world who have developed solutions to fix the planet.