Nestlé Malaysia and IIUM Kuantan Drive Halal STEM Education Partnership
8 min read
Nestlé Malaysia has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem and developing future-ready talent through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Kulliyyah of Science, International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Kuantan. The collaboration aims to advance Halal Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education.
The MoU marks a significant step in bridging the gap between industry and academia, with both parties sharing a common objective of equipping young Malaysians with the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in the evolving Halal industry. The signing ceremony was held during the Halal STEM Expo at the IIUM Kuantan Campus, which brought together around 500 participants comprising upper secondary school students from across Pahang.
Under this partnership, IIUM Kuantan will develop educational modules with support from Nestlé Malaysia, alongside the introduction of hands-on competitions designed to provide students with practical, real-world learning experiences. As part of the Halal STEM Expo initiative, the programme featured interactive experiments, exhibition booths, competitions and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at enhancing student engagement and understanding of Halal STEM.
Beyond student-centred programmes, the MoU also outlines wider areas of collaboration, including joint research in Halal science and food innovation, knowledge-sharing initiatives, as well as participation in conferences, workshops and academic publications. These efforts are expected to strengthen academia-industry linkages, encourage innovation and build a strong pipeline of future Halal talent.
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.
Nestlé Malaysia Head of Halal Affairs, Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, said the company’s commitment to Halal goes beyond maintaining high product and operational standards, extending to nurturing future talent for the industry. He added that the collaboration aims to spark students’ interest in STEM from a Halal perspective while providing them with practical insights into how science and technology contribute to the Halal ecosystem. He also noted that these efforts support national aspirations to increase STEM participation among students and further reinforce 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 the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to developing future leaders and strengthening Islamic STEM (Halal-STEM) education. She highlighted that the initiative is grounded in the IIUM Tawhidic philosophy, which integrates knowledge, values and holistic human development, while serving as a platform to connect academic learning with industry exposure and inspire students to pursue STEM pathways within the Halal ecosystem.
A key highlight of the Halal STEM Expo was the Halal Frontier Talk, a panel session featuring representatives from Nestlé Malaysia and the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), which provided students with first-hand insights from industry leaders and highlighted potential career opportunities in Halal STEM fields.
The programme also featured the Innovate Challenge, where secondary school and university students were encouraged to develop and present innovative prototypes focused on sustainability and aligned with Halal STEM principles. Nestlé Malaysia played an active role throughout the competition as judges and mentors. In addition, interactive exhibition booths enabled students to explore the company’s Halal value chain more closely and gain a clearer understanding of the role of STEM across the industry.
This MoU marks the beginning of a long-term collaboration, with various initiatives planned over the next two years to further empower students and advance Halal STEM education. Through this partnership, Nestlé Malaysia and IIUM Kuantan remain committed to nurturing future-ready talent while strengthening Malaysia’s innovative Halal ecosystem.
