Singapore Prize 2015 Winners Announced
The singapore prize was established by a private philanthropist with the goal of helping Singaporeans “become better, more informed citizens through a deeper understanding of our history, values and identity.” It supports research and innovation that promotes the spirit of Singapore and its value of social good. This gift has made a significant contribution to the development of science and technology in Singapore, particularly among young people.
The Singapore Prize celebrates research and innovation in the fields of science and technology, literature and the arts. This year, the program’s focus is resonance, reflecting how reading and writing can trigger emotions and memories. The prize is administered by the President’s Scientific and Technological Advancement Awards (PSTA), with the National Research Foundation supporting it. The PSTA was launched in 2013 to recognise pioneers and up-and-coming talent for their achievements in pushing the frontiers of science and technology.
This year, the prize awarded its first-ever multi-category winners. Clara Chow, who was shortlisted in the English fiction and English creative non-fiction categories, and the Chinese poetry category, became the first writer in the prize’s 30 years to be so recognized. She also becomes the first person to be nominated for two separate genres in the history category, and the only writer in the award’s history to have a work shortlisted in three different languages.
A new Art and Multimedia category was also created this year to encourage the wider community to engage with Singapore’s rich history. The new category mirrors the Book category in its selection process and will accept submissions that are artistic and historical, delivered through a medium other than a book. It can be in the form of films, visual arts, performances and installation art, as well as audio and podcasts (excluding books in printed form and e-books).
This year’s 15 prize winners included makers of solar-powered dryers and soil carbon marketplaces, as well as groups that restore Andean forests and deter illegal fishing. Britain’s Prince William, whose Royal Foundation charity launched the 10-year prize program in 2020, said the solutions showcased at Tuesday’s event showed that hope remains in a time of heightened climate change urgency.
The winners were feted at a glitzy ceremony co-hosted by actors Hannah Waddingham and Sterling K. Brown, and featured performances by the bands One Republic and Bastille. Actors Cate Blanchett, Lana Condor and Donnie Yen, and singers Bebe Rexha and Robert Irwin also attended. The glitzy awards show was filmed at the Media Corp theatre and broadcast globally on Channel 5. Prince William donned a dark green blazer from his own wardrobe to match the prize’s sustainability theme, while presenters including Donnie Yen and Nomzamo Mbatha walked the “green carpet” in sustainable clothing. The awards were presented by a cast of celebrities, including the award-winning actresses Mbatha and Ms. Blanchett, as well as actor and director Sterling K. Brown, who was also a special guest. The ceremony was produced by Emmy-winning producer Simon McBurney and directed by award-winning filmmaker Michael Apted.