Continuing Education and Training

Short Executive Courses

The Cultural Mosaic of the Archipelagic World: Malay World Ideas and Practices

About the Course
This course conducted by Dr Azhar Ibrahim comprises four parts. Participants may enrol in all or any parts of the course.

Part 1: Language and Literacy in the Malay World (Bahasa dan Literasi di Alam Melayu)
Part 2: Literature and Humanistic Knowledge
Part 3: The Cultural World of Nusantara
Part 4: Heritage and Aesthetics in Malay-Indonesian society 

Course Objectives
1. Provide exposure to the Malay-Indonesian literary, cultural, language and heritage vistas, as part of promoting cultural understanding and knowledge.
2. Enhancing reading skills on various subjects of literature, language, culture and heritage, linking it to critical knowledge and harnessing historical and social awareness for citizens and residents of Singapore.
3. Expanding interpretative approaches for teachers, officers, social volunteers and cultural enthusiasts for better appreciation and insights into the cultural, literary and heritage dynamics of the people in the region.

Who Should Attend
Teachers, civil servants, and officers in various ministries and agencies like museums, libraries and cultural centres, including social volunteers, journalists, cultural activists and the general public.

Part 1: Language and Literacy in the Malay World (Bahasa dan Literasi di Alam Melayu)

This course focuses on the importance of language and critical literacy in the formation of ideas, thought and values in the socio-historical setting of Malay-Indonesian societies. The language development of the region reflects not only the various cultural contacts, but also the conscious planning on the part of the language planners. But in language also encapsulate the politics of or the contestation of ideas. Here the critical literacy approach could best serve to unpack these language issues, and how it reflects the intellectual undercurrent.

Medium of Instruction: Malay

Duration
1 day

Course Date
22 Feb 2025

Part 2: Literature and Humanistic Knowledge

This course introduces the scope of Malay literature studies that could encompass the critical appreciation of ideas, intellectualism and aestheticism. The topics of humanism and realism will be discussed alongside the social and cultural meanings of aesthetic expressions. A Literature course like this could also enhance language learning apart from providing exposure to literary discourse.

Medium of Instruction: English

Duration
1 day

Course Date
14 Jun 2025

Part 3: The Cultural World of Nusantara

This course delineates the major cultural worlds of Nusantara (Malay-Indonesian World) focusing on three aspects. Namely,
(1) the historical evolution and major development of the Nusantara cultural actors, such as its elites and intelligentsia;
(2) The phases and layers, categorised as Indianisation, Islamisation, including how colonialism and modernity have made tremendous impact on cultural history of the Malay-Indonesian world;
(3) an appreciation of major cultural icons and events will be highlighted.

Medium of Instruction: English

Duration
1 day

Course Date
28 Jun 2025

Part 4: Heritage and Aesthetics in Malay-Indonesian Society

This course exposes participants to heritage and aesthetics discourse in the Malay-Indonesian society. In recent years, heritage business is booming, taken up both by the state and private sector. However, the educational and academic engagement of heritage and aesthetics discourse is still not extensive. As a result, the social articulation on heritage is still not developed. While built heritage is given slightly better attention, this is not the case for intangible cultural heritage. The latter could be understood from the standpoint of its evolution and development. It could also be approached from the perspectives of aesthetics.

Medium of Instruction: English

Duration
1 day

Course Date
22 Nov 2025