Over the last two years, an emerging cohort of Singapore scientists and researchers has joined those pioneering Singapore’s research and innovation (R&I). Come 2024, these pioneers will be honored with President’s Science and Technology Awards (PSTAs). Not to be mistaken with ordinary awards like National Day medals or Merdeka medals, PSTA winners are carefully selected by an interdepartmental panel consisting of representatives from government, industry and academia.

Kishore Mahbubani, former foreign secretary and jury panel chairman for the Singapore Prize, declared at a media conference that this century is known as “Great Asia Century”, wherein building sense of shared history and identity may prove more difficult than economic development.

So the 2024 Singapore Literature Prize (SLP) has introduced three new categories to recognize more diverse published works from Singaporean authors and translators, including translation (for fiction published between 2021-2023 by Singaporeans who do not hold professional translator titles); graphic novel/comic book creators from Singapore/Permanent residents; and translation works written during 2021-2023 written by nonprofessional Singaporean translators (written from 2021-2023); these works previously qualified under English fiction or Malay/Tamil/Creative Nonfiction categories.

Clara Chow was among the inaugural authors shortlisted for SLP this year and shortlisted in three or more categories, marking her as an unprecedented feat by program organisers.

This year’s SLP theme is resonance; with its jury emphasizing how great writing engages readers emotionally and conjures memories. One such work, State of Emergency by SLP winner Jonathan Leigh-Smith that recounts an extended family’s experiences during leftist political movements in Malaysia and Singapore in the 1960s won particular acclaim for sparking strong reactions and discussions among its readers.

Apart from introducing the new categories, the Singapore Literary Prize jury will assess submissions based on literary merit and impact on public discourse. Established in 1992 and revamped into its current format in 2004, this prize remains Singapore’s prestigious homegrown literary prize.

At an arcade in Ang Mo Kio, retired teacher Loh Chin Wei told CNA she doesn’t play games for prizes but rather for the enjoyment of them. She visits weekly and spends up to half an hour playing, often trying for rare trading cards but often failing. While she aims for them but often doesn’t win them – “My main aim is just having fun” she quipped – her main aim being the experience itself. In April and June respectively, winners and finalists of President’s Science and Technology Award will be announced with one receiving S$50,000 cash award and medal while other two finalists will each receive S$20,000 cash award and medal. Established by Singapore Academy of Sciences with funding from Ministry of Trade & Industry since 2000.