SINGAPORE — The Ministry of Education will introduce a new award next year for polytechnic students who create Interactive Digital Media projects that use technology to improve the lives of citizens.

Known as the Lee Hsien Loong Interactive Digital Media (IDM) Smart Nation Award, it follows the Prime Minister’s donation of an additional S$250,000 to the endowment fund set up for education awards, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office on Tuesday (May 3).

Relevant projects include those that help improve the transport experience, daily living in the home, health and wellness, and government operations. Interactive digital content includes video games, mobile apps, computer applications using Augmented Reality and/or Virtual Reality, interactive animated stories, or any innovative interactive media.

“I hope this new award will stimulate more polytechnic students to do their best, to use their imagination and skills to do outstanding projects in Interactive Digital Media, which will make a difference to Singapore,” said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in the statement. 

Applications for the award will open in April next year. To be eligible, all entries must be the work of full-time polytechnic students and have been completed within the preceding 12 months from the opening date of the application for the award. 

Both group and individual projects qualify, as well as those done as part of the students’ course of study, or outside of it. Each project group should have at most six members and include at least one Singapore citizen.

Five projects will be chosen as winners and each winning project will receive S$1,000.