For the first time, Singapore’s most prestigious prize has been given to an Asian scholar whose work focuses on Southeast Asia. The inaugural Singapore History Prize, which was mooted in 2014 as part of the SG50 programme to mark the country’s 50th anniversary, went to Professor John Miksic of NUS’ Department of Southeast Asian Studies for his book Lost Legacies: A Journey into Singapore’s Past.
The 71-year-old American, who began his archaeological career in 1984 and has since worked on excavations at Fort Canning and Empress Place, said he did not expect to win. He started writing the book in 2003, but it took another 10 years before it was published. It tells the stories of some 1,000 “discoverers” who volunteered their time and efforts to help with excavations.
Prof Miksic said he hopes his book will help people understand the complexity of Singapore’s past. He also plans to continue to collaborate with NUS Press on a website on the ancient artefacts found in Singapore. In addition, he intends to expand his research in Singapore by visiting sites that have not been explored yet.
Among the other winners of this year’s prize were former Straits Times journalist Akshita Nanda for her debut novel Nimita’s Place about two women navigating expectations in India and Singapore, and Ng Yi-Sheng for his speculative short story collection Lion City. In Chinese fiction, the award was split between Chia Joo Ming for her SG50-centric novel Kian Kok and Wong Koi Tet for his work Dakota Crescent about a lost housing estate.
The prize will be awarded at an awards ceremony in November, to coincide with Earthshot Week. During the event, global leaders, businesses and investors will meet TEP winners and finalists to accelerate their solutions and bring about tangible action to repair our planet. The public will also have the opportunity to engage with the finalists through local activations.
A total of ten prizes, including the $200,000 TEP Grand Prize and the $100,000 TEP Runner-Up Prize, will be presented at the awards ceremony. In addition, two special recognition prizes will be awarded: the TEP Founders’ Award and the TEP Community Impact Award.
The 2024 Singapore Prize will be awarded to a publication that makes a significant impact on our understanding of the nation’s history and heritage. Nominations are open to book-length publications in English addressing any time period, theme or field of Singapore history. Other creative works with clear historical themes are also eligible. A distinguished Jury Panel, chaired by NUS Asia Research Institute Distinguished Fellow Kishore Mahbubani, will select and announce the winner towards the end of October 2024. The panel will comprise historian Prof John Miksic of NUS’ Department of Southeast Asian Studies; Professor Tan Tai Yong, President of the Singapore University of Social Sciences; Professor Peter Coclanis of the Global Research Institute, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill; and economist Dr Lam San Ling. The Jury Panel will be assisted by a Nominating Committee, comprising academics from the NUS Department of History, arts and literary figures, and historian teachers and curriculum developers.