Herbalife, a global health and wellness company, recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR) to advance knowledge and practical experience in the fields of health and nutrition among students from the Faculty of Science.
Held at UTAR’s main campus in Kampar, Perak, the MoU exchange was represented by Steven Chin, senior director and general manager of Herbalife Malaysia and Singapore, and Dr Lim Tuck Meng, dean of faculty of science, UTAR.
“As a global nutrition company, we are committed to helping communities live healthier lives. Our collaborations with local universities over the years have given us the opportunity to share knowledge, promote healthier habits, and make a meaningful impact,” said Chin.
Under the MoU, Herbalife and UTAR will team up on a variety of initiatives to promote better health and nutrition over the next two years. This includes sharing expertise and insights on general health, nutrition and wellness, as well as working together on research projects and sharing findings through academic journals, conferences and industry platforms.
The partnership will also involve the co-organisation of events such as seminars, workshops and talks to spark more conversations around nutrition and healthy living.
In addition, both parties will collaborate to offer accredited short courses to Herbalife distributors, while creating more opportunities for UTAR students through internships and mobility programmes that provide hands-on industry exposure.
Chin said Herbalife’s initiatives such as the entrepreneurship talk are designed to raise student awareness of the fast-growing nutrition and wellness industry in Malaysia.
“By sharing industry insights and real-world opportunities, we aim to support students in developing relevant skills and exploring viable career or business pathways.
“We look forward to the positive outcomes of this collaboration and to extending our impact to more students nationwide,” he added.
Dr Lim stated that the university welcomes collaborations that create real value for students, as part of its mission to become a global university of educational and research excellence with meaningful societal impact.
“We are pleased to partner with Herbalife and to tap into the knowledge and expertise of their world-renowned professionals, gaining insights and tools that go far beyond the classroom.
“UTAR also has a strong research track record in health and nutrition, with recent studies delving into the societal factors influencing the use of weight-loss supplements, emerging dietary trends, and consumer perceptions within nutrition-related distribution networks. These research efforts, led by our dedicated staff and students, closely align with Herbalife’s mission to provide science-backed and accessible health solutions,” he said.
“This partnership, therefore, represents a timely and strategic continuation of UTAR’s ongoing research pursuits, offering new opportunities for collaborative studies, data sharing, and innovation in the field of nutritional science,” he added.
The MoU ceremony also featured a knowledge-sharing session where nutrition experts from Herbalife engaged with future dietitians and nutritionists.
Dr Rimbawan, a member of Herbalife’s Nutrition Advisory Board spoke about the health benefit of protein in supporting long-term weight stability. His talk covered the role of protein in maintaining muscle mass, promoting satiety and supporting metabolic health.
Clare Lim, a nutritionist and product trainer at Herbalife Malaysia & Singapore spoke on a session titled “Eat Well Early: Wellness Starts at Breakfast”, focused on the importance of having a nutritious breakfast.
Over the past five years, Herbalife has collaborated with local universities and bodies, reaching more than 5,000 students, athletes and aspiring health professionals in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), and the Nutrition Society of Malaysia (NSM).
Herbalife has also worked closely with professional organisations such as Institut Sukan Negara, the Malaysian Association of Sports Medicine (MASM), and the Malaysian Exercise and Sport Science Association (MESSA) to promote nutrition science and public health in Malaysia.
