Nestle, UPM team up to boost halal STEM

Kuala Lumpur - Nestlé Malaysia has joined forces with Universiti Putra Malaysia's (UPM) Halal Products Research Institute to bolster halal awareness in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education via the halSTEM programme. The two organizations inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) during the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026.

The collaboration aims to create, enhance, and execute HalSTEM modules, train educators, and engage students through various activities. Nestlé Malaysia's head of halal affairs, Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, emphasized the importance of showcasing how science, technology, and innovation contribute to halal assurance and quality assurance. By merging classroom instruction with practical industry exposure, the company hopes to ignite enthusiasm in STEM and motivate the next generation of professionals for the halal industry.

Through HalSTEM, students will engage in hands-on exercises highlighting STEM applications in halal assurance and the food sector. These activities encompass microscopy-based halal certification, contrasting plant and animal-derived ingredients, artificial intelligence tools, water filtration, sertu soap-making, and nutritional calculations.

UPM's deputy vice chancellor (industry and community network), Shamsul Bahri Md Tamrin, highlighted that UPM can provide academic rigor and research expertise to the development of HalSTEM, while Nestlé Malaysia offers valuable industry insights. The partnership seeks to generate learning experiences rooted in science while aligning with the practicalities of the halal sector. They anticipate substantial potential for shared knowledge and research collaborations in halal science and technology.

The partnership stems from previous Halal@STEM programs held in Terengganu and Melaka.