From the Rector

A 25 th anniversary is a good time to stop and take stock in terms of where we have been and where we are. After a quarter of a century offering studies in the arts we need to prepare carefully for the next 25 years. ASWARA has to be cognisant of societal changes and must, therefore, alter policies, curriculum, objectives, and programmes to reflect the needs of the students and the creative industries. It was for that reason that I commissioned a SWOT analysis to look at the whole of ASWARA in order to get a clearer picture of where we are and to serve as a guide to chart where we should be heading in the immediate future.

The SWOT analysis reveals some serious weaknesses that must be attended to, however, at the same time there is a positive thread throughout indicating a strong degree of commitment and dedication among the lecturers, students, and staff. There is an expressed desire that ASWARA be the Centre of Excellence for the study and practice of the arts in Malaysia. That is our goal
and to achieve that ASWARA must consider a number of changes in order to enable access to more funding, scholarships, (including PTPTN), and underplay the word academy, which, to
some, does not denote university level study. It is a widely held opinion that reluctant parents would be more apt to send their sons and daughters here if we were to become a Royal
Academy. We will respectfully pursue that.

Among the lists of threats there is reference to competition as a serious factor, however, competition is not a problem if we are the best. Being the best is our aim and that is what we will
strive to be.
Prof. Madya Dr. Sahar Sa’Di Hashim

From the Chair

2019, marked this institution’s 25th year of offering studies in the traditional and contemporary arts. Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (ASK) was established in 1994 as a conservatory and changed
in 2006 to Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (ASWARA). Today, ASWARA offers diplomas, degrees, and post graduate studies and is recognized as a centre for the study
and practice of dance, theatre, film, music, arts management, writing, animation, and the traditional performing arts.

After 25 years is a good time to stop and look at the current landscape and make informed decisions as to the future direction ASWARA must take to remain a viable and dynamic place to
study, research, and create the arts. And, to that end, the Rector requested a SWOT analysis of the institution along with a strategic plan that would address the weaknesses identified during the
process. The SWOT was completed December 2019, and in January 2020 a Strategic Plan Committee was formed to look at things that would help guide ASWARA into the next 25 years. Here are the ASWARA Strategic Plan and the SWOT analysis report.
Prof. Emeritus Ches Skinner
Visiting Professor

Strategic Plan Committee
Prof. Ches Skinner (Chair), Fasyali Saipul Bahri, Mohd Nur Faillul Adam, Richard Lau Chee Tat,Tan Lea Fung, Mohd Zahir Mohd Zain, Mohd Bakir Baharom, Mohd Nadzrin Saaban, Kamarul
Baisah, Reza Zainal Abidin & Muhammed Rasfan Haji Abu Bakar.

Mission Statement

ASWARA is an institution of higher learning dedicated to the teaching, research, and the study of Malaysian traditional and contemporary arts through the cultivation of imaginative, creative, and critical thinkers capable of contributing to and sustaining the creative industries both nationally and internationally.

Vision Statement

To become the Malaysian centre of excellence for the education and the training for art, culture, and national heritage and to be recognized as such at the regional and international levels.

Values

In fulfilling its mission and vision, the ASWARA administration, lecturers, staff, and students are committed to the following core values:
Pursuit of excellence in teaching, learning, research, and the creation of art.
Integrity in carrying our duties, both teaching and non-teaching, in a manner that is fair, honest, truthful, and ethical.
Respect for each other by treating one another with openness, professionalism, civility, and collegially in all endeavours.
Innovation by promoting and defending the acquisition and development of individual creativity and innovation in an open and safe environment.
Loyalty to God, King and country.
Commitment to learning and the acquisition of new knowledge and skills.
Diversity in all aspects of the community including people, ideas, knowledge, and art.
Collaboration by working together to further the common goals while valuing teamwork, participation, and respecting diverse ideas and opinions.
Accountability for the academic programmes, the students, and the resources entrusted to ASWARA

ASWARA Strategic Plan 2020

Strategic Goal # 1
Enable a transparent career path for the appointment and promotion of lecturers
with policies to support research and creative activity.

a. Establish the professorial route with clear guidelines for promotion
b. Hiring and promotion to be transparent using the committee system
c. Ensure all new candidates have post graduate degrees in relevant fields from approved universities.
d. Establish criteria for teaching and research/creative activity evaluation.
e. Research and Creative Activity to be an integral part of the lecturer’s duties accompanied with approved guidelines as to what constitutes appropriate work.

Strategic Goal # 2
Launch a wide reaching recruitment campaign to attract the best students, best lecturers, and tell ASWARA’s story.
a. Spread the word about ASWARA locally, nationally and internationally
b. Aim to attract the best arts students in Malaysia
c. Institute a system of auditions for entry to all areas.
d. Enable ASWARA students to qualify for PTPTN
e. Refurbish ASWARA’s website with good quality videos highlighting good work. The website must show ASWARA as a place dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, and the making of art.

Strategic Goal # 3
Establish and maintain ASWARA as an academic institution committed to excellence in teaching and research/creative activity.
a. Transparently hire lecturers with post graduate degrees from reputable universities.
b. Aim to become a Centre of Excellence for the study and research of traditional and contemporary arts
c. Maintain a close connection with the supporting creative industries. Such connections must be part of a clearly established plan that allows for regular visit to the industries and to ASWARA.
d. Mandate, via KPI criteria, collaboration among ASWARA units, students, and lecturers. This could eventually be expanded to in include local and international institutions.

Strategic Goal # 4
Repair and renovate the current physical infrastructure to accommodate the demands of the various disciplines.
a. Appropriate studio space for teaching and rehearsals
b. Ensure that ASWARA is up to date with the latest digital technology to allow for online teaching and learning
c. A full equipped digital classroom with technicians.
d. ASWARA must endeavour to establish disabled-friendly facilities.
e. Develop learning spaces equipped with compatible equipment that comply with creative industry standards and requirements.
f. Optimise the usage of unoccupied areas for revenue generating activities.

Strategic Goal # 5
ASWARA’s primary purpose is to deliver excellent education to the students by artistically and academically engaged faculty members. Therefore, the objective of ASWARA is to provide opportunities to support student goals and ensure that the institution is conducive to learning, creating, and research.
a. Encourage student involvement in policy making at the institution
b. Promote faculty and student and student interaction in ASWARA activities
c. Provide opportunities to engage locally, nationally, and globally.
f. Empower students to achieve their academic and professional desires within
a diverse and welcoming environment.
g. An ASWARA graduate must be sufficiently educated and equipped to make decisions about career and further study at local or international institutions.
h. Establish a career centre for arts students help enable them to find employment.
i.   Encourage students to work together and apply their skills cross disciplines to build successful art projects.
j. An ASWARA education must imbue the student with the skills and the confidence to pursue the arts at any level and any place.