The President’s Science and Technology Awards (PSTA) is Singapore’s highest honour for scientific talent. These prestigious awards recognise researchers and engineers for outstanding achievements in areas like research excellence and impact, industry relevance and national strategic importance. Established as National Science and Technology Awards previously, in 2009 these were elevated to Presidential status to uphold scientific excellence while strengthening Singapore’s expanding community of scientific talent.
At this year’s PSTA awards banquet, 61 researchers received awards, with four receiving the President’s Scientist award as its highest honour. Also returned was the Lifetime Achievement award – bestowed to individuals who have made significant and sustained contributions towards scientific or technological advances within their area of expertise.
This year’s winners were recognized for their achievements in artificial intelligence, cancer immunotherapy, infectious disease treatment, sustainable agriculture and food security. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong expressed his congratulations for their work that has the power to transform lives and change our world for the better.
NUS Singapore History Prize Reopens for 2024
Established as part of Singapore’s 50th Anniversary programmes in 2014, the NUS Singapore History Prize is the world’s first award exclusively dedicated to Singapore history. Administered by NUS’s Department of History and awarded every three years. For 2024’s award round, entries should address any time period, theme, or field in Singapore’s past history; creative works with clear historical connections may also be submitted.
NUS Science and Engineering Prize Relaunch with New Sponsor
This year, National University of Singapore’s Science and Engineering Prize will relaunch with new supporter Conservation International (CI). Their expertise in biodiversity, sustainability financing and network will serve to guide both Selection Committee members as well as Prize Winners with partners committed to finding innovative solutions that benefit nature while simultaneously improving human wellbeing.
NUS Literature Prize adds new categories
Homegrown translators, comic book authors and debut writers now have a chance to compete for Singapore’s most prestigious literary prize across its four official languages – thanks to Singapore Book Council (SBC) who announced on January 11 that they have added translation and poetry submissions in Malay to the biennial Singapore Literature Prize competitions.
American archaeologist John Miksic, 71 years old and with the NUS Department of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, won the inaugural NUS Singapore History Prize – Singapore’s most prestigious accolade for published books – this week. A four-member jury selected him for his book Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea: 1300-1800 which offers evidence that an ancient community existed here over 700 years prior to Sir Stamford Raffles ever setting foot in his country. Miksic described his surprise and delight upon receiving his prize on Thursday (Jan 11). When told about this award he said it felt “gobsmacked and honoured”.