The Singapore Prize, launched in 2014, is given to an individual or group who has exhibited the highest level of compassion and care for others. Awarded annually, the winner receives a cash prize of up to S$25,000 and the prestigious Harvard Prize Book medallion.
This year, the prestigious accolade was awarded to two individuals who were recognised for their efforts in improving the lives of those around them. Both Harrison Lee and Si Min Chan are founders of social enterprises that focus on promoting a more holistic way of life. Harrison’s Jalan Journey focuses on virtual experiential learning for youths while Si Min heads a team at SMU’s Koufu campus that enables students to pay it forward and help those less fortunate.
Founded in honour of the late Prof Kian Seng Swee, the award recognises those who have rendered commendable public service in a variety of fields including arts and letters, sports, sciences, business, the professions and labour movement. It is one of the oldest and most prestigious awards in Singapore, with past winners ranging from businessmen to doctors and teachers. The prize has also been given to philanthropists and members of the military.
In a move that reflects the growing emphasis on sustainability, this year’s winners were chosen for their initiatives in waste reduction and water conservation. They include a reusable water bottle company, an e-commerce platform that donates money to those in need and a company that provides solar panels for households.
The prize ceremony was attended by Britain’s Prince William, who donned a sharp green suit and dickie bow to match the thick carpet they walked on. He praised the winners for proving that “hope does remain” as climate change wreaks havoc around the world.
In the history category, a book that lays out the story of Singapore’s prehistoric origin won top honours. Archaeologist Prof John Miksic’s Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea, 1300-1800 beat out five other books in the race to win the inaugural NUS Singapore History Prize, which was introduced in 2014 as part of the SG50 programme that marked the nation’s 50th anniversary. The competition is administered by NUS’ Department of History, and the winning work must make a significant contribution to understanding Singapore’s history and be accessible to non-specialist readers. NUS history professor and jury chairman Wang Gungwu said that the book, which took 14 years to complete, offered a fundamental reinterpretation of where Singapore began. It drew on a wealth of archaeological data that has been previously ignored, and presented it in a very accessible way.
