H MEDIA

Nestlé Malaysia and IIUM Kuantan Join Hands to Advance Halal STEM Education 

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by

kamarul
in

Strategic partnership aims to inspire future innovators and strengthen Malaysia’s Halal talent pipeline

Reaffirming its long-standing commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem and nurturing future-ready talent, Nestlé Malaysia recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan, aimed at advancing Halal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education.

The MoU marks a meaningful step in bridging industry and academia, with both parties united by a shared goal to equip young Malaysians with the skills to thrive in the evolving Halal industry. The signing took place at a Halal STEM Expo at the IIUM Kuantan Campus, drawing 500 attendees representing upper secondary schools from across Pahang.

[From left] Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erna Normaya Abdullah, Chairperson of Halal STEM Expo 2026 and Head of SuNCoM, Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan, Prof. Dr. Kamaruzzaman Yunus, Dean, Kulliyyah of Science, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd. Arifin bin Kaderi, Vice Director, IIUM Kuantan, Dato’ Mohamad Nizar Najib, State Executive Councillor for Investment, Industrial Development, Science, Technology and Innovation of Pahang, representing the Chief Minister of Pahang, Raja Nurmaria Murni, Executive Director, Group Corporate Affairs for Malaysia and Singapore, Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, Head of Halal Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia and Siti Hazlin Jantan, Halal Operation Manager, Nestlé Malaysia at the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing with the Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM Kuantan to advance Halal Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education for young Malaysians.

The partnership entails the development of educational modules by IIUM Kuantan with support from Nestlé Malaysia, alongside hands-on competitions to provide students with real-world learning experiences. As a key initiative under this MoU, the Halal STEM Expo featured interactive experiments, exhibition booths, and a variety of engaging competitions and knowledge-sharing sessions.

In addition to student-focused programmes, the MoU also outlines broader areas of collaboration between both parties. These include joint research in Halal science and food-related innovation, knowledge-sharing sessions, as well as participation in conferences, workshops, and publications. Through these initiatives, Nestlé Malaysia and IIUM aim to strengthen academic-industry linkages, encourage innovation, and develop a robust pipeline of future Halal talent.

Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, Head of Halal Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia, said, “At Nestlé Malaysia, our commitment to Halal extends beyond ensuring the highest standards in our 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.

Participants from Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Peramu Jaya, Pekan, presenting a STEM project at the Halal STEM Expo at IIUM Kuantan to Raja Nurmaria Murni, Executive Director, Group Corporate Affairs for Malaysia and Singapore [third from right], showcasing an innovative natural soap based on tomatoes. The project incorporated Halal STEM principles by utilising only Halal-sourced ingredients, while also aligning with Toyyib values through its strong emphasis on sustainability and environmental stewardship.

“These initiatives will support the Government’s objective of increasing interest in STEM among students from a Halal perspective. 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.”

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Erna Normaya Abdullah, Chairperson of Halal STEM Expo 2026 and Head of SuNCoM, Kulliyyah of Science, IIUM Kuantan, said, “This collaboration with Nestlé Malaysia reflects our shared commitment to nurturing future leaders and skilled talent while strengthening Islamic STEM (Halal-STEM) education. Rooted in the Tawhidic philosophy of IIUM, which upholds the integration of knowledge, values, and holistic human development, 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.”

During the Halal STEM Expo, one of the key highlights was the “Halal Frontier Talk”, a panel session featuring representatives from Nestlé 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.

[From right] Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, Head of Halal Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia, with participants of the Halal STEM Expo, where Nestlé Malaysia also served as judges and shared industry expertise, providing real-world insights into Halal manufacturing practices.

The programme continued with the Innovate Challenge, where secondary school and university students were encouraged to develop and showcase innovative prototypes focused on sustainability and aligned with Halal STEM principles. Nestlé Malaysia also played an active role throughout the competitions, as judges and mentors. Complementing this, interactive showcase booths allowed students to explore Nestlé Malaysia’s Halal value chain up close, illustrating the vital role STEM plays across the industry.

This MoU marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration, with various initiatives planned over the next two years to empower students and advance Halal STEM education. Together, Nestlé Malaysia and IIUM Kuantan are committed to nurturing future-ready talent while strengthening Malaysia’s innovative Halal ecosystem.

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About Nestlé Malaysia: Nourishing Malaysians for Over a Century

Since 1912, Nestlé has been dedicated to nourishing Malaysians and building their trust through our high-quality brands and products. We contribute to food security as well as to the health and well-being of the Rakyat through our trusted brands and a long-term commitment to Malaysia in the form of investments, employment, and various initiatives that uplift local communities. Today, we operate six factories, employing over 5,000 Malaysians, and we are the Halal Centre of Excellence for Nestlé globally. We are committed to providing halal, nutritious, and high-quality products with sustainability at the heart of our business practices – Made in Malaysia, by Malaysians, for all Malaysians.

As the world’s largest food and beverage manufacturer, with our headquarters based in Switzerland, Nestlé operates in over 180 countries. With a workforce of over 270,000 dedicated employees, we are driven by our purpose to unlock the power of food, enhancing the quality of life for everyone, both today and for future generations. Our commitment to nutrition, health, and wellness guides our performance, ensuring we deliver on our promise of GOOD FOOD, GOOD LIFE.

To discover more about our century-long journey of nourishing Malaysians, please visit our website at https://www.Nestlé.com.my/ask-Nestlé/we-are-Nestlé.