Got Passion for Innovation & Entrepreneurship? 

Apply for the Kajima Book Prize in Innovation!

The Kajima Book Prize in Innovation honours SMU students graduating in 2025 who have demonstrated an innovative spirit, an entrepreneurial mindset, and the resilience to navigate uncertainty throughout their university journey. It is the only SMU Book Prize that recognises self-driven individuals who have embraced bold ideas, tackled challenges head-on, and shown the adaptability to thrive in a fast-changing world.

2 recipients of this prestigious award will receive a S$5,000 cash prize each and an exclusive opportunity to meet and greet with Executives from Kajima Development.

Eligibility

• The award is open to all graduating SMU undergraduate students who have demonstrated exceptional entrepreneurial mindset and attributes such as resilience, self-motivation, creativity and courage.
• Have participated in innovation & entrepreneurship (I&E) activities, including but not limited to:
  • SMU IIE programs (as exco, member, volunteer, attendee or in any capacities):
    • Protégé Ventures (PV)
    • Global Innovations Immersion (GII)
    • Business Innovations Generator (BIG)
    • The Lee Kuan Yew Global Business Competition (LKYGBPC)
    • The Greenhouse
  • Other I&E activities:
    • I&E clubs
    • Hackathons
    • Internships in I&E sectors
    • Took I&E courses
    • Attended I&E events

Mechanics of Award

• Up to two awards of S$5,000 value each, will be awarded to deserving students each year.

Timeline

• Application period opens from 6 May 2025 to 30 June 2025
• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a judging panel [Dates to be confirmed]

How to Apply

Fill in the application form HERE! or visit https://bit.ly/APPLY_KajimaBookPrize

All submissions must be received by 30 June 2025 (Monday) to be considered for the award. Late submissions will not be accepted.

Any further questions? Write to us at iie@smu.edu.sg!

Know any eligible students to nominate for The Kajima Book Prize in Innovation?

All SMU faculty, staff and students are invited to submit nominations for this award. Nominators must fill up the online nomination form and provide strong supporting reasons. Nominees will be informed of their nominations and who nominated them. 

Please note that nominees MUST be graduating students.  

Is there a limit to the number of nominations an individual can submit?

There is no limit to the number of nominations an individual can submit. Plus, it'll take no more than 5 minutes of your time! We encourage nominators to recognize as many deserving students as possible. 

How to Nominate

Submit your nominations HERE! or visit https://bit.ly/NOMINATE_KajimaBookPrize by 23 June 2025 (Monday).

Meet the Past 2 Winners from the Kajima Book Prize in Innovation 2024

In picture: Daniel Soh (SMU School of Accounting, 2024), Luke Wu (Managing Director of The GEAR by Kajima), James Tee (SMU School of Computing and Information Systems, 2024)

Read their story here: Celebrating Innovation and Resilience: The Inaugural Kajima Book Prize in Innovation

About Kajima Development Pte Ltd

Kajima Development Pte Ltd is a Singapore-based real estate developer with business interest across the Southeast Asia region. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kajima Corporation – one of the oldest and largest construction companies in Japan. Kajima’s brand-new regional headquarters and open innovation hub, The GEAR, was inaugurated in August 2023 at Changi Business Park to adopt open innovation, conduct R&D on advanced built environment technologies, and testbed solutions for the sector.

For more info on Kajima, visit https://www.kajima.com.sg