The Akademi Seni Budaya dan Warisan Kebangsaan (Aswara) is now poised to be known as a university at the latest by October this year and will be renamed Universiti P. Ramlee.

"The name (Tan Sri) P. Ramlee has its own strength, and is well-known within the country as well as overseas, especially in ASEAN," said Aswara's Dean of the Centre for Postgraduate Studies (P. Ramlee Chair), Professor Datuk Dr Baharudin Ahmad.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with Bernama at Wisma Bernama here Monday, he said Aswara was equipped with facilities and high-technology equipment as well as studios, making it an arts and culture technology university.

In winding-up the debate on the Supply Bill 2016 during the Dewan Rakyat sitting in November last year, Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Aziz announced that Aswara would be known as Universiti P. Ramlee.

The late Tan Sri P. Ramlee is recognised as a unique artiste and a National Heritage Icon.

Baharudin said efforts are now being made to expand the existing faculties, adding new teaching workforce and students, as well as implementing long-term plans in the next five years which are commensurate with its status as a university.

Expressing his thanks to the government, Baharudin said Aswara now had 800 students and besides the postgraduate centre, it offered eight diploma and degree programmes in dance, music, animation, arts management and creative writing.

In addition, it also offered masters and doctorate courses.

Baharudin said Aswara would be placed under supervision of the Ministry of Higher Education while still be with the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, for purposes of fund allocations.

He said the recognition as a university would change the perception of students in choosing Aswara for arts and culture studies as well as producing more local arts enthusiasts.

During the tabling of the 11th Malaysia Plan in May last year, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Aswara as an arts university would be encouraged to produce artistes and arts enthusiasts of caliber.

Aswara was first established in 1994 as the National Academy of Arts or Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (ASK) but on Aug 1, 2006, its name was changed to Aswara.

Baharudin said in conjunction with the new status, Aswara will organise the "P. Ramlee 87 Years in Memory" programme for three days beginning May 27.

"An exhibition on P. Ramlee will also be held for two weeks from May 27 to showcase his collection of photographs, clothes, albums, cameras, as well as other personal items," he said.

There will also be a seminar on P. Ramlee on May 28 as well as a tahlil session on May 28.

Mohamed Nazri is scheduled to launch the programme at 3pm on May 27.