As part of the annual Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize, researchers and organisations who work in water research are honoured with a cash prize to further their efforts. This year, the prize was given to a Dutch microbiologist for his ground-breaking research on wastewater-based epidemiology. His studies found that monitoring for traces of COVID-19 in wastewater could serve as an early warning system, even before outbreaks are reported in a community.
The heir to the British throne is back in Singapore after his first solo visit since 2012. Arriving at Changi Airport, Prince William was treated to a view of the 40-meter high Rain Vortex which was illuminated green for his arrival. He then visited the indoor garden where a tree was planted in his honor.
He was also hosted by local government agencies and attended a dinner with local and international media to discuss Singapore’s innovation ecosystem. He also held a roundtable discussion with entrepreneurship students at the National University of Singapore and a private reception with leaders at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other local companies and organizations.
During the dinner, the Prince of Wales spoke about the “inspiring solutions” from five winners of the Earthshot Prize, which was launched in 2020 by his Royal Foundation charity to promote innovative technologies that tackle global environmental challenges. He praised the winners and finalists for showing that “hope does remain as we work together to repair our damaged planet”.
The prize winners were a diverse group — from a solar-powered dryer that combats food waste to a system that makes electric car batteries cleaner. Celebrities including Cate Blanchett, Donnie Yen and Nomzano Mbatha, as well as Australian wildlife conservationist Robert Irwin, joined the prince at the event. The prince, who wore a 10-year-old dark green blazer by Alexander McQueen on the green carpet, lauded the winners for their work in the fields of nature protection, clean air, ocean revival and waste elimination.
A healthy civil society depends on citizens who put the common good before their own interests. This was the spirit behind the Harvard Prize Book, an annual award that honours individuals who have exhibited altruism. The prize is awarded by the prestigious Harvard Library in Boston, USA, and is one of the oldest prizes of its kind in the world.
Nine local businesses ranging from heritage brands to start-ups were crowned winners at this year’s Singapore Prestige Brand Awards (SPBA) ceremony on Wednesday night. Healthcare provider StarMed Specialist Centre, construction company Craftwork and co-living operator Coliwoo were among those named winners in the Promising Brands category, which recognises firms with less than 10 years of operations. The winners will be profiled in an upcoming edition of our weekly Business Times feature.