Nestle Malaysia has reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s halal ecosystem and nurturing future-ready talent by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan to advance halal science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education.
The MoU signifies a strategic effort to bridge the gap between academia and industry demands, equipping students with relevant skills for the evolving halal ecosystem.
The signing took place at the Halal STEM Expo at the IIUM Kuantan Campus recently, drawing 500 attendees representing upper secondary schools from across Pahang.
The partnership entails the development of educational modules by IIUM Kuantan with support from Nestle Malaysia, alongside hands-on competitions to provide students with real-world learning experiences.
The MoU outlines broader areas of collaboration in halal science and food-related innovation, knowledge-sharing sessions, as well as participation in conferences, workshops and academic publications.
Through these initiatives, Nestle Malaysia and IIUM aim to strengthen academic-industry linkages, encourage innovation, and develop a robust pipeline of future halal talent.
Nestle Malaysia head of halal affairs Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor said the company’s commitment to halal extends beyond ensuring the highest standards in its products and operations.
“Through initiatives such as this partnership with IIUM Kuantan, we aim to nurture the next generation of talent for the halal industry by sparking their curiosity in STEM, and providing them with real-world insights into how science and technology shape the halal ecosystem.
“By equipping students with knowledge, hands-on experience and exposure to potential careers in halal STEM, we hope to open doors to exciting opportunities within the halal industry, helping to further strengthen Malaysia’s position as a global halal hub,” he said.
Assoc Prof Dr Erna Normaya Abdullah, chairperson of Halal STEM Expo 2026 and head of SuNCoM at the Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM Kuantan campus said the collaboration with Nestle Malaysia reflects their shared commitment to nurturing future leaders and skilled talent while strengthening Islamic STEM (halal-STEM) education.
“This partnership serves as a key platform to connect academic learning with industry exposure, while inspiring students to pursue STEM pathways and contribute meaningfully to the expanding halal industry ecosystem,” she said.
One of the key highlights at the expo was the “Halal Frontier Talk”, a panel session featuring representatives from Nestle Malaysia and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim), offering students first-hand perspectives from industry leaders and shedding light on career opportunities within halal STEM fields.
The programme included an Innovate Challenge where secondary school and university students developed and showcased prototypes focused on sustainability and aligned with halal STEM principles.
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