An Indian maker of solar-powered dryers, a marketplace that helps to make electric car batteries cleaner and groups that work to restore Andean forests and deter illegal fishing were among the winners of this year’s singapore prize. Britain’s Prince William, who launched the 10-year award program in 2020, said that the solutions showcased by the finalists proved that “hope does remain” as the world struggles with the effects of climate change. The prizes, which are worth a total of US$1 million, were awarded at a glitzy ceremony in Singapore that was co-hosted by actresses Hannah Waddingham and Sterling K. Brown and featured performances by the bands One Republic and Bastille. Other presenters — including actor Donnie Yen and actress Mbatha — dressed in eco-friendly clothing from designers such as Alexander McQueen, known for its sustainable collections. The winners were awarded in categories such as science, education, arts and public service at the event organized by state-owned Media Corp.
The NUS Singapore History Prize is an open global competition that was set up in 2014 in support of the national SG50 programme to mark the nation’s 50th anniversary of independence. Professor Miksic’s book is a synthesis of Singapore history, but he says that it also contains many primary sources and incorporates personal input from Ms Hidayah, who grew up in Kampong Glam, a historic district of the city. He said: “It’s an indication that you don’t have to be a professional historian to write about Singapore’s past.”
In the literature category, the judges chose Magic Babe Ning, whose poem is a “clarion call for gender and linguistic reclamation, searing in its sassy confidence and universal appetite”. It was published by Epigram Books in 2024.
Other shortlisted works included Wesley Leon Aroozoo’s book, The Punkhawala and the Prostitute: Histories of Humans and Other Animals in Singapore’s Garden City (Epigram Books, 2021) and Khir Johari’s tome The Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels Through the Archipelago (Marshall Cavendish, 2021).
The winners of this year’s President’s Science and Technology Awards (PSTA) will visit Singapore in November to take part in Earthshot Week, where they will share their innovative and impactful environmental solutions with global leaders, businesses and investors. They will be offered a catalytic S$1 million ($750,000) grant to help them scale their solutions. The awards ceremony will be held at the National Museum of Singapore.