The Singapore Prize recognises individuals and organisations who have contributed to pushing the boundaries of research and innovation in our country. It is a series of awards given by the President of Singapore and the National Research Foundation, to honour scientists and researchers for their contributions in the fields of science and technology.
The prize will be awarded to those who are able to demonstrate a significant impact on society through the use of innovative scientific and technological solutions, to address global challenges that affect humankind. The winners of the prize will be selected by a panel of judges, which consists of representatives from government agencies and academia, as well as industry leaders. The winner of the prize will also be invited to present their work to a panel of distinguished experts in the field of science and technology, which will consist of leaders from companies, academia, and think tanks from all over the world.
Last month, the esports tournament The International 11 was held at the Singapore Indoor Stadium with a total prize pool of US$1.5 million. The event was the first time that a Southeast Asian nation hosted TI, and it was won by London-based Tundra Esports.
Despite being a fairly new and fast-growing sport, esports is already one of the most popular forms of entertainment worldwide, with millions of people watching games online, and tens of thousands attending live events around the globe. It has also become a major source of revenue for some of the biggest names in the gaming industry.
Singapore’s esports ecosystem has grown to be among the best in the region, with top players earning up to $40,000 a month from playing. The number of events held in the country has doubled since 2017, and there are now more than 20 professional esports teams based here.
There are also a growing number of companies offering training and certification for aspiring esports players. These courses can help players improve their performance in the game and prepare them for future competitions.
The Singapore Prize was mooted in 2014 by Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished fellow at the NUS Asia Research Institute, in support of SG50. He said it aims to give a “broader perspective on the shared history that holds societies together”, and this year’s winner, Ms Hidayah’s Leluhur: The History of Kampong Glam, was chosen because it fulfils the prize’s goal of making history accessible.
The Singapore Prize will be run by Conservation International, which has a strong track record of working globally to spotlight and secure the benefits of nature for humanity. It will leverage its deep expertise in biodiversity programmes and sustainability financing to guide the selection of the Prize Winners, and connect them with a network of partners committed to scalable solutions for nature and humanity. You can learn more about the prize here. The deadline for nominations is 30 November 2020.
