S'pore starts new LKY water prize
PAYING tribute to Singapore's founding father, the PUB, on Monday,
unveiled the Lee Kuan Yew Water Prize.
To be awarded in March next year, the inaugural award, recognises
individuals or organisations who have made a difference to humanity
by helping to solve the world's water woes.
It will be the highlight of the city state's first International
Water Week - a series of events featuring the indusry's heavy
hitters, showcasing cutting edge technologies and water management
techniques.
As Singapore's 'contribution to develop and encourage' innovative
water solutions, the $300,000 prize is not limited to breakthroughs
in technology, but is also open to groundbreaking policies and
programmes across the globe, said Environment and Water Resources
Minister, Dr Yaacob Ibrahim.
Dr Yaacob was speaking at the opening of the IWA (Internation Water
Association) Leading Edge Conference at the Swissotel on Monday
morning.
With its focus on cutting edge technologies, the prize will be a
'unique contribution' to helping spur new innovation in the field,
said IWA executive director, Mr Paul Reiter.
The three-day conference which ends on Wednesday, brings together
some 300 delegates from over 40 countries and includes some of the
biggest players in the global water industry.
'It's a gathering of the best of the best,' said Mr Reiter.
Among them is Professor Perry McCarthy, winner of this year's
Stockholm Water Prize - the water industry's answer to the Nobel
Prize.
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