[1-Day Short Course] Heritage and Aesthetics in Malay-Indonesian Society
About the course
Heritage is big business today. From tourism to cultural preservation, both the state and private sector are investing in it. But beyond the buzz, how deeply do we understand the cultural and aesthetic foundations of Malay-Indonesian heritage?
This course offers a fresh, insightful look at the evolving discourse of heritage and aesthetics in Malay-Indonesian society, with a particular focus on intangible cultural heritage - traditions, values, and expressions that are often overlooked but deeply shape communal identity.
You will explore questions such as:
- Why are certain heritage forms gaining attention now?
- How are politics, power, and preservation connected in heritage recognition?
- What makes something “beautiful” or “worthy” of conservation within a local cultural context?
Through historical case studies, theoretical insights, and real-world examples, this course will:
- Unpack key forms of intangible heritage that are currently gaining prominence, and explore the societal forces driving this interest
- Survey and reflect on past and present efforts to document and preserve heritage, and identify gaps and opportunities for future research
- Introduce methods to document heritage and explain why public discourse is essential to meaningful heritage planning
- Explore aesthetics from a Southeast Asian perspective, including how concepts of beauty, clarity, and ethical values are culturally embedded
Whether you are in heritage planning, education, the arts, cultural policy, or simply curious about Southeast Asia’s rich traditions, this course encourages you to think critically and creatively about what we choose to preserve and why it matters.
Medium of Instruction: English
Who Should Attend
This course is designed for professionals and practitioners across the cultural, education, and media sectors, including:
- Teachers, lecturers, and curriculum specialists
- Librarians, archivists, and curators
- Journalists, writers, and content producers
- Cultural workers, community leaders, and policymakers
Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this course offers meaningful insights and valuable resources for professionals at all levels of seniority.
Minimum Entry Requirement
Polytechnic Diploma / GCE 'A' (or equivalent) and Above
Course Fee
Fees Description | Total Payable (incl. GST) |
Full course fee | S$926.50 |
About the Instructor

Dr Azhar Ibrahim
Senior Lectuer
Department of Malay Studies
Dr Azhar Ibrahim is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Malay Studies, National University of Singapore (NUS). He teaches Malay-Indonesian literature and ideologies of development at the Department. His research interest includes sociology of literature, critical literacy, and the Malay-Indonesian intellectual development. Amongst his published works are: Emancipated Education (2020), Historical Imagination and Cultural Responses to Colonialism and Nationalism: A Critical Malay(sian) Perspective (2017), Contemporary Islamic Discourse in the Malay-Indonesia World (2014) and Narrating Presence: Awakening from Cultural Amnesia. (2014).