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I'm Muslihah Mujtaba, an artist, practitioner and researcher pursuing a PhD in Cultural Heritage. Most people know me as Lili.
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A trailblazer, I am the first Singaporean Malay pioneering in this area of research. I am researching the preservation of Intangible Cultural Heritage (ICH) for future generations, at the University of Birmingham, UK.
Intangible cultural heritage disappears when no one documents it seriously. Malay dance in Singapore sits at a fragile intersection of community identity, post-colonial history, and living practice. This research creates a scholarly foundation for its preservation, ensuring that knowledges held by practitioners is not lost to neglect or passage of time.
The tuition fees for each Academic Year is £22,600 (SGD 39,100).
I have paid the university a total of £9,600 (SGD 16,600).
The PhD takes around 4 academic years to complete full-time, I am currently in my 1st year.
Due to financial barriers beyond my control, I am currently at risk of expulsion if the remaining of my first-year tuition fees is not cleared by 8th June 2026. This amounts to £13,000 (approximately SGD 22,461.86)
In September 2025, I received partial scholarship from Singapore to pursue my PhD in Cultural Heritage. I am a recipient of the LBKM Prestigious Postgraduate Scholarship (SGD $15,000) and the MTFA Founders' Scholarship by Muslimin Trust Fund Association (SGD $2,500).
However, the amount received only covered less than half of my first year's fees, and I have been tirelessly applying for funding from Singapore, the UK and internationally. Unfortunately, in this economy and extremely competitive environment, I have not been able to secure anymore funding in time.
This fundraiser came out of desperation as I have exhausted my options of securing PhD funding for this academic year. I am now in need of as much help as I can get.
Losing my dad to cancer at 5, I come from a disadvantaged background where finance has always been a barrier to us, especially in education and opportunities.
In 2002, my mom enrolled my sister and I in Sri Warisan Som Said Performing Arts Ltd's weekend classes for children, Singapore's first fully professional Malay arts company. In the process of learning dance, music and theatre, we grew up in an arts community where we were nurtured with rich cultural values while juggling academic excellence.
I was featured in the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)'s Hari Raya Video in 2017.
Living with a chronic illness, I advocate for mental health and wellness in all that I do and believe that artistic and creative practices have the power to heal and bring people together.
Despite my family circumstances and health condition, I am fortunate to be an alumnus of the following educational institutions, which have greatly shaped who I am today:
- University College London (UCL), Master of Arts
- The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, University of London (Bachelor of Arts)
- Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA), Diploma
- Meridian Junior College (where I dropped out after JC1 due to my health condition)
- Cedar Girls' Secondary School & Tanjong Katong Girls' School
- Temasek Primary School
I owe it all to my mother, who sacrificed her whole life to put my siblings and I through school while supporting my artistic pursuit. I will forever be indebted to her, and every single person and organisation who have helped us along the way. This includes Darul Ihsan Orphanage, LBKM, Lee Foundation, Zubir Said's family, Mendaki Singapore, Tan Chay Bing Scholarship, Dr. Joseph Teo, Salleh Marican Foundation, MUIS-WAREES, Edusave Bursaries & Scholarships, and various financial assistance schemes I have received along the way.
I know what it means to be underrepresented, in Singapore, the UK, in academia, in the arts, and in research. Often being the only person like me in the room, I understand the importance of representation and carry that responsibility with resilience and strength.
This work matters beyond just me.
My whole life, I have fought so hard to get here, relying on scholarships, sacrifices, and the kindness of others.
I am currently working several jobs in the UK while doing this PhD. Apart from being Non-Executive Director of Anansi Theatre Company, I am selling sambal jars to share Malay food heritage to international audiences, a Postgraduate Student Ambassador and part-time exam invigilator at the University of Birmingham. I want to get out of this poverty cycle and share as much knowledge as I can with others, especially to those from underprivileged backgrounds.
Your donation will keep an at-risk heritage alive, amplify marginalised voices, and prove that where you come from doesn't limit how far you can go.
As of 2 May 2026:
Apart from this page, I am building a website for a more detailed campaign.
This will be linked to this page and shared once it is ready.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for your kindness and generosity. May you be rewarded abundantly in return!
* Gofundme takes a fee of 2.9% + £0.25 for every transaction.
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Please do send me a direct message if you would like to know more about my work and my situation. In the event you know of any funding opportunities, please send them my way!
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