The Singapore Prize honours outstanding scientists and researchers for their contribution to society. Winners are presented with a citation, a medallion and a cash award. Previously known as the President’s Science and Technology Awards, the prize was established in 2009 and is the highest accolade in the field of science and technology in Singapore. The winners are selected by a panel of experts from the Ministry of Education, National Research Foundation and Singapore Management University.
The 2023 winners were announced on Tuesday (Nov 13) at a star-studded event in Singapore that was part of the Earthshot Week. The prize’s organiser, Britain’s Prince William, applauded the 15 finalists — including an Indian maker of solar dryers and groups that work to make electric car batteries cleaner and restore Andean forests and deter illegal fishing — saying their solutions showed “hope does remain” in the face of climate change.
At the event, which was hosted by Emmy-winning actor and singer Hannah Waddingham and three-time Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown, the finalists showcased their work to an audience of more than 1,000 guests from Thailand and around the world. They also shared ideas on how to scale up their projects.
Prof Medema was honoured for his pioneering work in wastewater-based epidemiology, which uses data from local water treatment plants to track trends in COVID-19 infection in communities. This technique, he said, enabled public health officials to take quick action to prevent further outbreaks.
He was also praised for his use of drones and satellites to monitor and map water quality across the world’s oceans, and for developing new materials that can protect boats from damage caused by tropical storms and tsunamis. The 67-year-old, who is originally from the United States, is credited with revolutionising maritime safety in Southeast Asia.
The heir to the British throne last visited Singapore with his wife, Princess Catherine, in 2012. On Tuesday, he was greeted at Changi Airport by a crowd of people and escorted past a 40-meter high Rain Vortex, an indoor waterfall lit green for his visit. The royal was then shown a tree planted in his honour at the foot of an indoor garden at the airport.
Prof Miksic, whose book reveals Singapore’s ancient roots and its place in the regional trading network, said the 491-page tome had laid the foundation for a “fundamental reinterpretation of our history”. He added that bits of historical information from literary records suggested Singapore existed long before Sir Stamford Raffles set foot on the island in 1819.
Ms Hidayah, who works in the financial services industry, said the win was a pleasant surprise and that she was just happy to be recognised for her work in one of Singapore’s most vibrant areas, Kampong Glam. She added that she was not a big collector of prizes but she visits the arcade about once a week and spends about half an hour each time. She added that she will probably use her prize money to buy more collectible cards from the games.