It's going to be Dr AR Rahman from now on

After the double Oscar win, an honorary doctorate awaits the music wizard AR Rahman.

Middlesex University, London has decided to bestow the honour upon the composer. Joe Victor, Regional Director of Middlesex University, met Rahman who is the Founder Principal KM Music Conservatory in Chennai to let him know of the University's desire to award an honorary doctorate to him at a graduation ceremony to be held at Middlesex University, London in July.

However, Rahman's association with the Middlesex University will not end there.

When Rahman started KM Music Conservatory began in July 2008 in association with Audio Media Education, it was meant to be the first music conservatory in India to specialise in both Western and Indian music as well as Music Technology.

The school plans to train Indian students in western music, performance, composition and technology at an internationally competitive level. And admissions into KM Music Conservatory's Preparatory Program and Foundation Program are open to anyone with a twelfth standard or equivalent education level and have completed a year in the KM Music Conservatory Foundation Program.

Rahman also wants to one day provide India with its own symphony orchestra comprised of its own musicians.

Now, the conservatory has initiated a dialogue with the Regional Director South Asia of Middlesex University, London to explore the possibility of developing an Academic Articulation for the Bachelor of Arts Honours Programmed for Music Composition and Music Performance.

The degree from Middlesex University is of three years duration. The aim of KMC will be to explore the possibility of offering the first two years of the Middlesex Programme at the KM Music Conservatory in Chennai while the final year will take place at the Middlesex University in London.

The Conservatory expects the course to start from January 2010. For more information, please click here or visit the website.