PENANG: Renowned singer and music maestro Datuk M. Nasir will be awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Performing Arts at the 26th convocation of Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) on Saturday (Nov 23).
The ceremony, held until Nov 30 at the Tuanku Canselor Hall, Sultan Azlan Shah Campus, will also see the singer Datuk Nash receiving a Master's Degree in Performing Studies through APEL Q.
UPSI Vice-Chancellor Prof Datuk Dr Md Amin Md Taff said that the award to Nasir, whose real name is Mohd Nasir Mohamed, is based on his four-decade-long artistic experience beginning in 1979.
He noted that Nasir has served as a consultant and advisor in the performing arts field at UPSI's Faculty of Music and Performing Arts since 2021, with his company, Luncai Emas Sdn Bhd, being a strategic partner of UPSI since 2016.
"His contributions have significantly elevated the status of the music art world, achieving prestigious levels and aligning with national education development and public thought through music.
"His first song lyrics were written for the Alleycats's song 'Senandung Semalam' in 1978, and his first composed song was 'Hujan', recorded by the band Sweet Charity," he said in a statement on Friday (Nov 22).
Meanwhile, Nash, whose real name is Nashrudin Elias, began his singing career in 1986 and he was a member of the band Lefthanded, known for hits like "Pada Syurga Di Wajahmu" (1986) and "Zahir Tak Terucap" (1993).
Both artists will perform at the first session of the convocation.
Md Amin said that the 26th UPSI convocation will see 7,172 graduates receiving their degrees.
He mentioned that among them, 154 will receive a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), 943 a Master's Degree, 4,768 a Bachelor's Degree, 755 a Diploma, and 552 a Postgraduate Diploma in Education.
"The Chancellor of UPSI, Raja Permaisuri Perak Tuanku Zara Salim, will grace the ceremony and present degrees to graduates at the first session.
"This session will also honour top graduates with special awards, such as the Royal Education Award and the Chancellor's Gold Medal," he said.
