A Singapore Prize honours the best contributions to the country’s history. It was first awarded in 2018 to archaeologist Prof John Miksic for his book Singapore And The Silk Road Of The Sea, 1300-1800. The 71-year-old was the only non-Singaporean to win the prize, which is awarded every three years.
The 2024 edition of the NUS Singapore History Prize received 26 submissions, which the judges considered outstanding in terms of quality and scholarship. These six compelling works will be shortlisted for the prestigious award, with a cash prize of S$50,000.
NUS history department professor Kishore Mahbubani, who founded the prize with the support of an anonymous donor in 2014 to mark SG50, said he was “delighted that the prize has gathered such momentum.” The prize had “helped us realise that nations are ‘imagined communities’, and a shared imagination, especially through our history, is a critical glue holding societies together,” he added.
He said that he hoped the prize would inspire people to “make history their business”, and not just learn about it in school. He also encouraged readers to look at the past in different ways, such as through art and literature. NUS history department head Prof Jeremy Tiang, who was part of the jury panel that decided on the prize winners, echoed this view. “The biggest challenge that Singapore faces now is not economic, but building a national identity through a strong sense of shared history,” he told the Straits Times.
Despite the economic downturn, he was hopeful that the next generation of Singaporeans would be able to find success in different fields, including in science and technology. “Our youth will be the builders and innovators of our future,” he said, adding that the nation should continue to nurture young talent by offering them scholarships.
The NUS-Malaysia Foundation International Research Scholarship, for example, was launched in 2017 to support promising Malaysian students with outstanding academic credentials to pursue postgraduate studies in Singapore. It is open to all disciplines, and students from both Malaysia and Singapore can apply for the scholarship.
NUS has long recognised the importance of innovation and intellectual property. Its Inventors Society was founded in 1984, and its Technology Transfer Office helps commercialise research discoveries by NUS staff. The university also runs a number of business incubators, which are designed to help small firms become more successful by providing them with the right resources and support to grow their businesses.
This year’s awards were presented at a glittering ceremony, with actors Hannah Waddingham and Sterling K. Brown hosting and the bands One Republic and Bastille performing. Actors Yen and Mbatha walked the “green carpet,” and the event was also marked by sustainability-themed entertainment. In keeping with this theme, William wore a 10-year-old suit by Alexander McQueen and other presenters were in eco-friendly attire. Guests included a number of Singapore ministers and former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
