'Rebranding ASWARA Requires Funding, Review Of Legal Framework'

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 12 (Bernama) -- While arts enthusiasts aspire to immortalise the legacy of Tan Sri P. Ramlee by renaming the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage (ASWARA) after the iconic figure, a fundamental question arises: is the institution ready for such a transition?

While the proposal to rebrand ASWARA as Universiti P. Ramlee (UPR) is viewed as a significant tribute to the country’s legendary artiste, such a move, however, demands a comprehensive transformation involving organisational restructuring, financial capacity and legal framework.

Speaking to Bernama in a recent interview, ASWARA deputy rector for academic affairs (who is also discharging the duties of rector) Associate Prof Dr Zulkifli Ab Rashid said the proposal to rename the institution as UPR must be assessed in an integrated manner, taking into account institutional readiness as well as the structural and financial implications involved.

While acknowledging that the idea stems from deep appreciation for the arts and the late icon, Zulkifli believes ASWARA is not yet prepared to transition into a full-fledged university.

“This rebranding would require significant financial commitment, new development and a comprehensive administrative restructuring. To become a full university, ASWARA would need substantial funding and organisational realignment. At present, we do not have such resources,” he said.

According to him, efforts to upgrade ASWARA to public university status were previously discussed in 2018 at the level of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and the Ministry of Higher Education, with the aim of making it the country’s 21st public university.

However, the process did not proceed due to significant legal and financial considerations, including the need to amend the National Academy of Arts, Culture and Heritage Act 2006 (Act 653).

pic-2

He said ASWARA was established under Act 653, while public universities are governed under the Universities and University Colleges Act. Any change in status would require a review of both Acts and approval at the Parliamentary level,” he explained.

The proposal to rebrand ASWARA as UPR or the P. Ramlee Academy of Arts had previously attracted public attention ahead of the 14th General Election and was among the pledges outlined in the Barisan Nasional manifesto at the time.

Bernama previously reported that the Klang Valley P. Ramlee Fan Club intends to submit a proposal to rebrand ASWARA as UPR to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in the near future.

Zulkifli said from an academic standpoint, ASWARA has long operated at a university-equivalent level, offering programmes from foundation studies to doctoral degrees.

He said the institution’s position must be understood in light of its history, having begun under the Ministry of Culture, Arts and Tourism before being elevated as a higher education institution in arts, culture and heritage through Act 653. It was officially named ASWARA on Aug 1, 2006.

ASWARA later became a federal statutory body on Oct 1, 2008, further strengthening its role as a higher learning institution specialised in the field of arts and national heritage.

“In terms of academic structure, we are already at university level. Even abroad, there are institutions that retain the title of academy or college but are highly advanced academically, such as the Beijing Film Academy,” he said.

He added that the legacy of the late P. Ramlee is already being strengthened through the implementation of the P. Ramlee Chair at the postgraduate level.

-- BERNAMA