This inaugural Prize, created as part of Singapore’s 50-Year Celebration (SG50) programme in 2014, was designed to mark its five decades of independence. Administered by NUS Department of History, it awards every three years, and its winner receives S$50,000 as prize.
This year’s shortlist for the Singapore History Prize consists of academic works that take a broad view of Singaporean history, as well as non-fiction works with a more personal angle. Kamaladevi Aravindan’s novel Sembawang (2020; available here) stands out among them by telling a family’s life across decades on an estate. According to Aravindan – who serves as senior lecturer at National Institute of Education – historical events should also have meaning for average people beyond mere dates and timestaces
Home Is Where We Are (2019, available here) chronicles the legacy of a Singaporean-Chinese couple that created one of Asia’s most successful lotteries: TOTO. The book chronicles their struggle to establish the business, as well as how they worked together towards spreading their shared philosophy that “a person shouldn’t be defined by money or social status but by how they live their lives”.
While Prince Harry will visit several countries on his tour of Southeast Asia, Singapore will be his initial stop in 2020. While in Singapore he will meet local citizens and learn about how local organizations are working to protect and conserve our environment. During his journey he will also participate in an illegal wildlife trade summit before attending an Earthshot Prize event organized by Conservation International which is supporting his initiative.
While visiting Singapore, King Abdullah II will also attend the 10th edition of World Architecture Festival and visit its new location at Ritz-Carlton Millenia hotel. WAF is a global platform which honors cutting-edge design projects which address major world issues ranging from climate emergency mitigation and resilience building.
The WAF judging panel boasts industry experts, designers and journalists such as Kelley Cheng, Sanjay Puri, Mariana Simas Sonali Rastogi and Mario Cucinella – to name but a few!
As well as hosting the summit and award ceremony, this upcoming event will also offer workshops and talks from leading industry experts, serving as a global meeting point for science, technology and engineering specialists.
The President’s Science and Technology Awards are Singapore’s highest honour bestowed upon Singaporean scientists. First known as the National Science and Technology Awards, they were elevated to Presidential status in 2009 before being renamed in 2023 as President’s Science and Technology Awards. Winners will receive cash prizes, certificates of appreciation for their contributions to society as well as public voting forms available at Singapore Pools outlets until October 2nd to select their favourite nominee from six nominees.
