Britain’s Prince William joined celebrities and entrepreneurs from all around the globe during his visit to Singapore this week for the third annual Earthshot Prize awards ceremony. Inspired by President John F Kennedy’s “moonshot” speech of 1962, these prizes aim to find bold solutions to global challenges by 2030 – this year five winners were recognized at this ceremony – Accion Andina, GRST, WildAid Marine Program, S4S Technologies.
William and guests walked the green carpet at Mediacorp Campus to meet the winners, from solar-powered dryers that reduce food waste to more energy-efficient electric car batteries. Prizes were distributed by celebrity ambassadors such as actors Donnie Yen and Lana Condor and Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin.
Prasanthi Ram, 32 years old and lecturer at Nanyang Technological University, won the English-language book category with her short story cycle Nine Yard Sarees set across Singapore, Sydney and New York. As prize money she will receive $3,000 as well as an exquisite trophy handcrafted by artist Jason Lim.
Anitha Pillai, professor at National University of Singapore and author of Down Memory Lane: Peter Ellinger’s Memoirs (2023), became the oldest ever winner ever of Singapore History Prize, which was instituted to commemorate Singapore’s 50th Anniversary and administered by NUS department of history.
Wesley Leon Aroozoo’s The Punkhawala and the Prostitute (Singapore: Epigram Books, 2021) and Khir Johari’s Food of Singapore Malays: Gastronomic Travels through the Archipelago (NUS Press 2024) rounded off this year’s history category titles.
The NUS-Singapore History Prize, established as part of Singapore’s 50th anniversary programs and inaugurated in 2014 as the NUS-Singapore 50 History Prizes to recognise publications on Singaporean history, is valued at $50,000 with each shortlisted work receiving $5,000. Established during SG50 celebrations and one of only several prizes that recognize publications about local history in Singapore.
Shortlisted works cover an impressive array of subjects, from an examination of an iconic Indian poet’s life and work, to Malay migrants in Singapore and their history in the city, and how Singapore’s printing industry has developed over time. NUS Press is immensely proud to have played an instrumental role in each of the shortlisted works and bring them to life. Members of the public can cast their vote at any Singapore Pools outlet between now and October 2 next year by submitting ballots at one. For more information, click here. NUS-Singapore history lecturers, students and staff served as judges for this year’s prize, along with experts from both private sector companies and NGOs – such as Global Environment Centre and Asia Sustainability Institute – who were charged with selecting the most outstanding works from an impressive list of nominations.