Edwin Thumboo Prize 2026

June 22, 2026

The Department of English, Linguistics and Theatre Studies at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has awarded the Edwin Thumboo Prize 2026 to two pre-university students for their excellent literary work.

Named after one of Singapore’s most prominent poets and scholars, the Edwin Thumboo Prize aims to promote excellence in the study of Literature at the pre-university level by recognising outstanding literary works by A-level and International Baccalaureate Diploma (IBDP) students of English Literature in Singapore. It is administered by the Department with support from the Ministry of Education (MOE). The Prize, established in 2019, is funded by generous donors, including patrons of the arts and former winners of the Angus Ross Prize.

Winner

Ashmi Chatterjee

Raffles Institution

Ashmi Chatterjee

"Literature has taught me empathy in its fullest sense—not just to see, but to feel deeply through another's eyes.

I find equal comfort in its refuge and its intellectual challenge, which shape how I approach the world with nuance and wonder. I am forever grateful to my teachers: Ms Rathiga Veerayan, Mr Samuel Chan, Ms Chuang Sulynn, Ms Lim Puay Miao and Ms Samantha Prakash, for nurturing this science student’s uncharacteristic love for language with endless questions and thoughtful conversations I’ll never forget. To my very STEM-leaning parents, thank you for buying your very bookish daughter a novel for every plane ride, and for entertaining every weekly library visit that ended with my sixteen book borrowing limit reached."

Ashmi with her family

Merit Prize Recipient

Terrell Ng

School of the Arts

"Literature is my favourite way to be kind. So many writers have listened to me and taught me to listen. I am incredibly privileged to be a part of this lineage of empathy as a writer, a reader and a critic.

Thank you to all my Literature teachers, especially Ms Mel; to my mother for our vibrant discussions; and to my friends - my fellow readers and writers and artists - for being real and present, proving that literature must never distance itself from reality."

Terrell with his family

The winners of the Edwin Thumboo Prize 2026 were selected through a rigorous process. Government pre-university institutions were invited to nominate one candidate each. The competition attracted entries from A-level and International Baccalaureate programmes across Singapore.

In addition to the institution recommending a candidate, the candidates were required to submit a piece of academic writing on a literary text or topic. During the interview stage of the competition, shortlisted students were challenged to compare two poems provided to them only 30 minutes before the interview.

Candidates were assessed by a selection panel drawn from NUS and MOE, leaders in literature and the arts in Singapore, as well as former Angus Ross prize-winners. The panel for this year’s prize included Assistant Professor John Whalen-Bridge from the Department and renowned actor and former Nominated Member of Parliament, Janice Koh.

View the highlights from the award ceremony

About Emeritus Professor Edwin Thumboo

Emeritus Professor Edwin Thumboo is one of Singapore’s pioneering poets. An accomplished literary practitioner and critic, he dedicated his life to the composition and study of English Literature.

His work is studied in schools, both locally and abroad, and featured in public places in Singapore. At NUS, Professor Thumboo served as Head of the Department of English Language and Literature, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, and Director of the NUS Centre for the Arts. He has also received numerous awards, including the Book Award for Poetry in English (1978, 1980 and 1994), Southeast Asia Write Award (1979), The Cultural Medallion (March 1980), ASEAN Cultural and Communication Award for Literature (August 1987), Public Service Star (August 1991), the Meritorious Service Medal (2006), and Distinguished Service Award (2008).