The Singapore Prize aims to Recognise Individuals and Organisations That Are Driving Sustainable Growth in Asia
The Singapore Prize aims to recognise individuals and organisations in the region that are driving sustainable growth. It was launched by philanthropists and is one of the largest prizes in Asia. The winners will receive investment capital to accelerate their solutions and bring them to a larger scale. The ceremony will also feature performances by renowned artists and musicians.
The second iteration of the award ceremony will take place in Singapore, a city-state that has become known for its commitment to sustainability. In addition to the main prize, five finalists will be selected in categories such as science and technology, social innovation, and entrepreneurship. The finalist selection will be made by a panel of judges that includes experts in business, environment, and science.
In a statement, the NUS Singapore History Prize’s trustees said the competition was designed to “cast a wide net for works that deal with history.” They also noted the NUS History Prize will continue to support historical research and teaching by providing an annual grant to the winning book.
Sonny Liew, the author of the graphic novel that won the prize, has continued to receive international accolades for his work. His latest achievement is a win at the Eisner Awards, considered to be the Oscars of the comic industry. Besides the prestigious prize, he has won numerous other accolades, including the Best Asian Comic at Denmark’s Pingprisen award earlier this year.
He is not the only Singaporean to have garnered international recognition for his work. Last month, a film about his work titled The Art of Charlie Chan Hock Chye won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. The film received rave reviews from critics, including the New York Times’ Andrew Osborn, who praised the film’s depiction of the tumultuous political landscape in Singapore.
While the NUS Prize has received international acclaim, some have voiced concerns over its role in censoring art. One such critic, Keng Sen Ong, the director of the Singapore International Festival of Arts, says that arts funding should not be used as an instrument of censorship. Instead, he argues, it should support dissenting voices and nurture their creative expressions.
Prince William will travel to Singapore next month to name the winners of the third iteration of his Earthshot Prize, a global award that encourages inventors to find technologies that address climate change. This is the first time the prize has been awarded in Asia, and Singapore will host a series of events as part of a new initiative called Earthshot Week. The event will see global leaders, businesses and investors convene in Singapore to explore opportunities with the winners and finalists. In addition, the winners will be given a PS1 million grant to accelerate their solutions and bring them to broader scale. The winners will be chosen by a panel of 59 scientists and academics, which is also being led by Cate Blanchett and Queen Rania of Jordan. The event will be attended by the royal couple and their son, Prince George.