Nominations open for The Straits Times S'porean Of The Year Award 2015

Nominations open for The Straits Times S'porean Of The Year Award 2015

SINGAPORE - The Straits Times has started the search for an individual whose inspiring or extraordinary acts have made his or her community a better place or whose substantive yet unrecognised contribution has improved the lives of those around them.

The award, supported by UBS Singapore, seeks to recognise the triumph of the human spirit and the positive impact made by an individual on the community, as well as inspire the community and honour unsung heroes.

The flagship of Singapore Press Holdings is calling for nominations from the public for this new annual award, The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year Award. The award, which will be given out early next year, will also be open to a group of individuals who collectively merit the award.

These are individuals or groups who stood out for:

- Demonstrating remarkable resilience in the face of adversity or great personal loss.

- Making a significant impact through exemplary voluntary work for a segment of the community or needy individuals.

- Displaying heroism and bravery, risking his/her own life in performing an extraordinary act to help another person or persons in distress, or

- Breaking new ground in doing good for the community, our common spaces and national heritage and for animals in our midst.

Nominations are open from now till Dec 31, 2015. Nominees, who must be Singapore citizens, may not put themselves forward or be nominated by a member of their immediate family. The only other requirement is that nominees must have made the news in 2015.

A final list of 10 shortlisted nominees will be revealed in mid-January 2016, and the public will get to vote for who they think should be The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2015.

Public voting will factor in the choice of the overall winner, who will be chosen in mid-January, following a final deliberation by a judging panel comprising editors from the ST newsroom as well as external judges from various walks of life. See attached for members of the judging panel.

The Singaporean of the Year will receive $20,000 and a trophy. The other nine nominees will each get $5,000 each. The award is presented by UBS Singapore and organised by The Straits Times.

Mr Edmund Koh, Country Head of UBS Singapore, said: "We are delighted to partner with The Straits Times for the inaugural Singaporean of the Year Award. We recognise that amongst us, there are extraordinary people who have distinguished themselves in their individual capacities. As we celebrate UBS's 50 years in Asia and Singapore's 50th anniversary this year, it is timely that we also celebrate the triumph of the human spirit and honour those who have gone above and beyond their call of duty to make a difference to society.

"There are leaders that we read and hear about, but there are also the extraordinary among the ordinary. We hope to give recognition to the Singaporeans who inspire us, motivate us and challenge us to make a positive difference to the community."

Said Mr Warren Fernandez, Editor of The Straits Times: "This award is geared at the common man or woman who steps up and does things that amaze and inspire everyone. His or her actions or contributions might make the news, but more importantly, it should impact and shape lives in a selfless way. That is the Singapore spirit we want to celebrate and showcase through this award."

For more details about the The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year and to nominate someone for the award, go to str.sg/singaporeanoftheyear2015. For enquiries about the award, email STprojects@sph.com.sg, with Singaporean of the Year in subject header.

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