In 2014 as part of SG50 celebrations, the NUS Singapore History Prize was established to honour significant publications on Singaporean history from both local and foreign authors. Open to both local and foreign authors alike, this prize recognizes works that explore Singapore’s early history through different perspectives – from exploring an iconic Indian poet’s life story to writings by Malaysian migrants who came here. Shortlisted works demonstrate just how Singapore’s past is written about from many perspectives.
Prof Miksic won this year’s award with his book which examines where Singapore began. This publication showed how historical evidence such as literary references and archaeological digs point towards Temasek predating Sir Stamford Raffles arrival in 1819; additionally it detailed undisturbed layers of soil with artefacts like glass shards, bronze bowls, coins and ancient rice vessels which indicate there had been continuous settlement on Singapore Island for some seven centuries prior.
Kamaladevi Pillai of Malaysia earned second prize as another prize-runner author with her work entitled Awakening, in which she explored the lives of early Malay settlers to this country through their story told from the viewpoint of an interested layperson who observes how they built homes, worked, loved and died – an excellent example of how history can become captivating by exploring all its tiny details that make a place special.
This year’s competition attracted 192 submissions, which is down 32 from last year but remains an impressive number for a prize of this nature. Additionally, there was also a Readers’ Favorite category wherein members of the public vote online for their favorite shortlisted work in all four languages and can win book-purchase vouchers as a result of voting online.
Two Asian firms won this year’s awards ceremony in Hong Kong: GRST, which seeks to find cheaper, safer and faster ways of manufacturing lithium-ion batteries for electric cars; and S4S Technologies which strives to reduce food waste by helping farmers preserve crops that would have gone to waste into products like granola bars. Prince William attended this year’s awards ceremony which honored them both.
Alongside the winners, twelve finalists also were recognized. Along with certificates and medallions awarded from NUS-Millennium Technology Prize Fund, each will also be eligible to apply for up to S$200,000 grant to further develop their projects. Researchers, developers, or commercialization activities for their technologies can utilize this grant from the Millennium Technology Foundation – a private charitable trust funded by NUS-Millennium Group Education Foundation – and use it for research, development, or commercialization activities. The NUS-Millennium Technology Group Education Foundation was established in 1997 to inspire young people to study science and technology by offering scholarships and other initiatives, as well as through outreach programmes and workshops. Furthermore, its programs support students, educators, researchers from diverse fields.