PhD Prize in Environmental and Sustainability Research

Introduction:
The World Future Foundation (WFF) has a vision and passion for sustainable development. We understand the urgent need to address the multi-faceted issues confronting humanity and the natural world in which we all live. We believe that active research into new technologies, and the deployment of innovative solutions to environmental issues will help shift unbridled consumption to restrained, sustainable consumption of renewable resources.

An incentive award for excellence in environmental and sustainability research, entitled “World Future Foundation PhD Awards in Environmental and Sustainability Research”, was be the first of its kind to be awarded in Singapore. This is a unique honor from other academic, book and medal prizes because of its multidisciplinary coverage.The prize was awarded in 2010 and 2011 at both National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU). In July 2010, the first Award presentation ceremony was held at NUS and NTU separately. In July 2011 it was held jointly at NTU.

Each outstanding PhD Thesis was awarded a sum of USD $10,000, for a total of ten awards. WFF funded the Prize for a trial period of one year in 2010, with the term funding of USD $100,000. The success of the Prize 2010 ensured continued cooperation with the two universities. In May, 2011, WFF signed the gift agreement of Prize in Environmental and Sustainability Research for the next five years (2011-2015) and contributed another USD $250,000 to both NUS and NTU.

NUS is a leading global center of interdisciplinary research, education and expertise in the Environment, particularly in areas affecting Singapore and Asia, NUS conducts cutting-edge research in a range of high impact areas from fundamental research to applied science to address critical environmental topics.

NTU is a thought and action leader in environmental sustainability with a proven track record in research and successful technology development in energy and water related fields. NTU has also consciously avoided a remote “academic pedestal” posture and instead actively seeks relevance to and interaction with society and industry.

The PhD Prize is the Foundation’s first step to establish long term partnerships with NUS and NTU to groom future research and development leaders in these important fields.