09/12/2025
๐ฒ๐พ A Historic Milestone for Malaysian Animation Education
As a Founder and the President of the Malaysian Animation Educators Association (PPAM / ANIMATES), I would like to extend my deepest congratulations to (Dr.) Hassan Abd Muthalib, the Father of Malaysian Animation, on being awarded the Honorary Doctorate (PhD) by ASWARA.
Pak Hassanโs contributions to the nation span more than five decades. Beginning as a designer at Filem Negara Malaysia, he grew into a celebrated animator, film director, critic, researcher, writer, and educator. His work has shaped Malaysiaโs animation identity and influenced generations of students, academics, and industry practitioners.
I have personally known Pak Hassan since 2008, during my early years in academia at UMK. His humility, intellectual clarity, and generosity have guided my own development as an educator and strengthened the academic ecosystem of animation in Malaysia. His presence during the early founding meeting of PPAM at UniKL in 2017 remains a memorable and meaningful moment in our associationโs history.
This honour reflects not only his artistic mastery but also the significance of experiential knowledge and lifelong learning. Despite never holding a formal degree, he rose to national and international recognition as a speaker, advisor, jury member, and cultural leader.
Congratulations once again, (Dr.) Hassan Abd Muthalib โ a national treasure and a towering pillar of Malaysian animation education.
On behalf of ANIMATES, the PPAM EXCO, and all our members.
โ Assoc. Prof. Ahamad Tarmizi Azizan, PsD
Founder & President
PPAM / ANIMATES