By: Nurul Ezzaty Mohd Azhari
Photo: Sabri Omar

PUTRAJAYA, September 4 – Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and the Southeast Asian Regional Centre for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (SEARCA) are jointly developing the halal industry with Filipino industry players through the 'International Research Knowledge on Halal Industry Program' workshop which spans 11 days at the Everly Hotel, here, starting today.

The Director of the UPM Halal Product Research Institute (IPPH), Prof. Dr. Awis Qurni Sazili said this workshop opens opportunities for the halal industry’s potential, especially for practitioners, policymakers, and stakeholders in the Philippines. 

He said that in this workshop, several major halal issues will be discussed, including halal standards and procedures, halal certification and the Halal Assurance System (HAS), the Muamalat financial system, and tourism.

"When this programme ends, the participants will return to the Philippines and disseminate this halal knowledge in their country. This will initiate further collaboration between UPM and the Philippines, particularly in developing the global halal sector.

"The halal sector in the Philippines is currently developing, especially in the Southern part of the country where the majority of the population is Muslim. The awareness is already present, and soon, this halal knowledge will expand to other districts there," he said.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Industry and Community Relations), UPM, Prof. Dr. Ir. B.T. Hang Tuah Baharudin said the collaboration with UPM-IPPH explores international knowledge in the field of halal programmes and paves the way for the growth of the halal sector.

Participant, Normina Abubakar, 26, a teacher at Mindanao State University, Tawi-Tawi, Philippines, said she hopes to get input on halal certification, especially for the benefit of the Muslim community.

"I would like to develop the halal industry in the Philippines so that more tourists can come and experience the uniqueness of our food without hesitation, especially for Muslim tourists," she said. - UPM

Date of Input: 05/09/2023 | Updated: 07/09/2023 | hairul_nizam