Singapore remains an economic powerhouse and political hotbed, yet continues to shine amidst global turbulence and political divisions. Most recently, they hosted the President’s Science and Technology Awards (PSTA) ceremony where outstanding researchers were recognized. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong applauded those “pushing the boundaries of knowledge”, encouraging research communities around them to expand.

The 2021 NUS History Prize saw a marked change in how Singaporeans view their past, with works taking a more personal angle competing against traditional historical books. One such non-fiction work by Hidayah Amin entitled Leluhur: Singapore’s Kampong Gelam (2019, available here) sheds light on an area many now know only through tourism as part of Singapore.

Prof Miksic’s Reinterpreting Singaporean History won first prize. This scholarly work delves deep into where Singapore’s story began, using bits and pieces gleaned from written records, including accounts by Chinese traders, to make the case that early literary sources pointed towards an East Southeast Asian entity that later evolved into modern-day Singapore.

State of Emergency (2017, available here), written by Jeremy Tiang and chronicling an extended family’s struggles against leftist political movements and detentions during Singapore’s 1950s leftist political movements and detentions, features on this shortlist as does Kamaladevi Aravindan’s Sembawang: A Tale of Life at a Singapore Estate (2016) that explores everyday lives during this era.

Future-minded individuals may also appreciate The Earthshot Prize, awarded annually to innovative ideas that tackle climate change and other environmental problems. Launched by Prince William in 2020, it will hold its third annual awards event next month in Singapore; along with celebrating winners and their innovations, this gathering will also host United for Wildlife – a global summit that brings together law enforcement agencies and conservation groups – representing over 30 nations around the globe.

PM Lee made an impassioned plea for scientific advancement in society and praised Singapore’s vibrant network of specialized research institutes which drive innovation across different sectors. He encouraged everyone in Singapore to stay dedicated to expanding knowledge, particularly young Singaporeans already doing so. “As we mark 50 years, I hope we can take pride in our work and strive for excellence just like our pioneers did,” said PM Lee. Our future success depends on their hard work and creativity – As stated by Keng Sen Ong of Publishing Perspectives