In a stunning recognition of his dedication, Singaporean Robert Sim has been awarded the coveted Wikimedian of the Year title, a prestigious accolade in the Wikipedia community. This momentous achievement comes nearly two decades after he first dabbled with the platform as a schoolboy back in 2006, where he started his journey by fixing minor spelling errors and broken links.

Presented by Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales at the annual Wikimania event in Nairobi, Kenya, on August 6, 2023, Sim expressed his disbelief: "It’s surreal. I didn’t expect to be considered in the first place." With over 79,000 edits under his belt, his commitment to enhancing the online encyclopedia is undeniable.

Sim, a graduate of Singapore Management University, began taking his Wikipedia contributions more seriously in 2019. He soon noticed that many articles related to Singapore were outdated, victims of a wave of initial enthusiasm that peaked in the early 2000s. Tackling this challenge, Sim took on the ambitious project of updating the Index of Singapore-related articles. His efforts led to an astonishing increase from 7,000 to over 14,000 entries, revealing the immense task ahead for fellow editors.

In addition to his editorial prowess, Sim was instrumental in launching the Wikimedians of Singapore User Group, fostering community among local editors, and co-creating the Wikimania conference set to happen in Singapore in 2023. He is also one of the 837 English Wikipedia administrators as of 2024.

When not editing articles, Sim and his fellow contributors often interact in the online realm, utilizing platforms like Telegram and Discord, since many Wikipedia editors are introverted.

Interestingly enough, one of the articles that captivated Sim was the page for K-pop sensation Goo Hara. Following her tragic passing in 2019, he dedicated two years to refining her article until it achieved "Good Article" status—a notable distinction on Wikipedia.

Sim also holds the distinction of being the first to create an article about Singapore’s Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation (Pofma) Act. A humorous moment unfolded in 2023 when someone shared a link to this article with him, only for Sim to reply, "Yeah, I wrote this article." Laughing together shows that even in the world of diligent editing, there's room for lighthearted exchanges.

As Wikipedia approaches its 25th anniversary in 2026, Sim remarks on the platform's evolution: "It represents the first look of information in our world," becoming a frequently top-searched resource. Sim eloquently describes Wikipedia as a window or a snapshot of our global understanding.

However, he emphasizes that challenges remain, stating: "Many people don’t realize Wikipedia is volunteer-driven." A common reaction he encounters? Curious individuals asking, "You mean we can edit on Wikipedia?" Sim advocates for more contributors, affirming that every new editor enhances the completeness of the information available.

For those eager to make their mark, Sim suggests starting with small edits—correcting errors when they spot them. For those less comfortable with writing, uploading images to Wikimedia Commons can also be a significant contribution. In fact, one such image uploaded in 2005 was highlighted during the National Day Rally on August 17, where Prime Minister Lawrence Wong reminisced about young Singaporeans visiting Changi Airport to watch planes.

Wikimedia Statistics reveal that Singapore ranks eighth globally in page views on the English-language Wikipedia, with an impressive 101 million views, trailing only behind giants like the U.S. and U.K. Robert Sim is now not only recognized as a top contributor but as an inspiring figure in the world of free knowledge, proving that anyone can have a significant impact!