Singapore awards and prizes include medals, cups, trophies, badges and state decorations given out by the Government of Singapore. Furthermore, scholarships and grants may also be given out by them to individuals or corporations to support economic development efforts.
This prize is presented annually to an outstanding student enrolled in the University Scholars Programme who has demonstrated superior academic achievements as well as commitment to wide-ranging learning through co-curricular activities or community service. They must also display an active interest in literature and the arts. The recipient receives both a cash award of $1,000 as well as an engraved trophy as a prize.
Launched in 2014 to mark Singapore’s 50th anniversary of independence, this prize is the inaugural of its kind in Singapore and administered by NUS Department of History. Prof Miksic’s book was chosen as the winner by a four-member panel led by Wang Gungwu, director of NUS East Asian Institute. With 29 submissions coming into this competition this year alone, Prof Miksic’s was ultimately selected by this panel as their favorite submission out of all 29 submissions made this year.
Prof Miksic explores in his book the origins of Singapore. He notes how bits of historical evidence from literary records hint to its existence in Southeast Asia in the 13th century, including names like Temasek and Longyamen (Dragon Teeth’s Gate). However, historian’s findings allow them to connect all these disparate pieces into an understandable whole for the first time ever.
Kishore Mahbubani, President of NUS, suggested that there may be scope for expanding the prize to encompass works other than books – movies, comics and other formats that present history more effectively, like 12 Years A Slave as an example.
Prince William will try his luck at dragon boating – an increasingly popular global sport – during his visit to Singapore. Additionally, he will meet Singaporeans and learn about what work they are doing in their community to protect and restore our planet. Additionally, he will attend the United for Wildlife summit, an event convened by law enforcement agencies and conservation groups working to stop illegal wildlife products estimated to cost billions each year worldwide.
Prince Harry will visit Singaporeans to see how they are employing funds from the PS100 million ($160 million) Earthshot Prize – an ambitious global initiative launched in 2020 with the goal of scaling up environmental solutions – and will meet representatives of organizations from across the globe who share their visions and innovations to tackle climate change and ocean pollution. He will then address an awards ceremony taking place this November; inaugural was in London while Boston hosted it – this one being Singapore a hub of innovation and key region in terms of biodiversity loss and pollution efforts globally.