The National University of Singapore (NUS) has announced six works to make up the shortlist of this year’s Singapore Prize, which marks its second run and is part of the SG50 commemorations. The prize, administered by NUS’ Department of History, is meant to stimulate engagement with Singapore’s history “widely understood”, and to make the nuances of the country’s past more accessible to ordinary Singaporeans. In doing so, the prize hopes to challenge the common perception of history as being the record of great movers and shakers.
The 2024 NUS Singapore Prize will be awarded to the winner of a non-fictional book published during a 30-month period from January 2019. Submissions are accepted in any of Singapore’s four official languages: Chinese, English, Malay, and Tamil. The book must explore any aspect of Singapore’s history, and the winner will be honoured with a cash prize of S$50,000.
In addition to the cash prize, the winner will also receive a plaque and gold medallion. The winning entry will also be featured in an exhibition at NUS’ Library Gallery.
Last but not least, the winning author will get a chance to give a lecture on the topic of their book. The lecture will be held at NUS’ main campus, and the date and time will be announced soon.
In his speech, Professor Medema emphasized the importance of altruism in a healthy civil society and encouraged Singaporeans to take up civic duties. “The prize recognises that our communities can be strengthened by people who put the welfare of others before their own interests, and are willing to work together for the common good,” he said.
The prize was inaugurated in 1992 and is managed by NUS, which manages the endowment fund for the award. The fund was donated by private philanthropists and corporate bodies and is matched dollar for dollar by the government. The annual awards ceremony is attended by the country’s top scientists and technologists, as well as members of the public.
Besides the grand prize, other winners include an Indian maker of solar-powered dryers, a soil carbon marketplace and groups that are working to restore Andean forests and deter illegal fishing. Prince William, who founded the Earthshot Prize in 2020 to solve environmental challenges, congratulated the finalists at the award ceremony and said their innovations show “hope does remain” despite the current climate crisis.