The Singapore Prize is an annual award that recognizes a work of literature, music, or art that reflects the country’s rich heritage. The award is sponsored by the Singapore National Arts Council and philanthropists. It is supported by a prize fund of S$20,000.
The first prize was awarded to John Miksic for his book Singapore and the Silk Road of the Sea, 1300-1800. The prize is also open to works that examine Singapore’s history beyond its colonial past.
A new prize for historical writing could help Singapore and other nations build a common imagination, says NUS Asia Research Institute distinguished fellow Kishore Mahbubani. In an opinion piece in the Straits Times, he suggests that a nation needs a shared history to understand its present.
“An imagining of the past is essential to the survival of a nation, especially in an age of fake news and social media,” he writes. In order to build such a shared imagination, he suggests, a country must be willing to look at its own history and make it relevant to the modern world.
WOHA wins WAF Design Award for Kampung Admiralty
Designed by the firm WOHA, Kampung Admiralty is an apartment complex that serves elderly residents. It features a mix of public and private space, and was designed to encourage inter-generational bonding and promote active aging.
It is divided into three strata — upper, middle and lower. The lower section of the building contains public facilities such as gardens and terraces.
While many cities are attempting to tackle the issue of aging populations, Singapore’s approach is different and more comprehensive. It is aiming to make the city more liveable and sustainable as it ages, according to the architects of Kampung Admiralty.
As part of their commitment to tackling aging, the team is developing a series of programs and activities to support inter-generational bonding, such as a community-based program for elderly patients with chronic illnesses, a seniors’ club, and a library and bookshop.
The team also hopes to raise awareness about aging issues through a project that is planned to launch in 2022. The program will bring together local senior citizens and young people to discuss issues affecting their lives and how they can make a difference in society.
Another program that will be launched in 2022 is a scholarship for undergraduates to study abroad. The scholarships will be awarded in the spring of each year to students who have a strong interest in Singapore and a desire to learn more about its culture and society.
These programs will allow students to experience the city’s rich diversity and build a greater sense of belonging. As a result, these scholarship recipients will be able to gain the skills needed to succeed in their future careers.
It is also possible for students to get a head start on their career goals by participating in Singapore-based sports competitions. These competitions are a great way to learn more about the city and build a network of friends, family and colleagues.