PETALING JAYA: Nestlé Malaysia has formalised a strategic collaboration with the Halal Products Research Institute (IPPH) of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) through a memorandum of understanding (MoU) exchanged at the Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS) 2026 in Kuala Lumpur.
The partnership aims to expand Halal in STEM education through the HalSTEM programme, equipping more Malaysian secondary school students with practical insights into the science, technology and innovation underpinning the Halal industry.
Bringing together Nestlé Malaysia’s industry experience as the Halal Centre of Excellence for Nestlé globally and UPM’s expertise in Halal science and research, the partnership will jointly develop, enhance and implement HalSTEM modules, educator training and student outreach activities.
This partnership is also part of Nestlé Malaysia’s SYNERGY Halal collaboration with the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (JAKIM), a holistic initiative to nurture a complete Halal ecosystem encompassing consumer awareness, talent development, SME empowerment, and the advancement of Halal logistics and supply chain partners, ultimately contributing to Malaysia’s continued leadership and global competitiveness as a premier Halal hub.
Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, Head of Halal Affairs, Nestlé Malaysia, said, “At Nestlé Malaysia, Halal is fundamental to how we operate and to the trust Malaysians place in us. As Nestlé’s global Halal Centre of Excellence, we also see an important role in sharing our experience to strengthen the wider Halal ecosystem. Through HalSTEM, we want to help young Malaysians see how science, technology and innovation support Halal assurance and quality. By combining classroom learning and real industry exposure, we hope to spark greater interest in STEM and inspire the next generation of talent for the Halal sector.”
Through HalSTEM, students will take part in hands-on activities that demonstrate how STEM concepts are applied in Halal assurance and the food industry. These include the use of microscopybased Halal authentication, comparisons of plant and animal-derived ingredients, artificial intelligence tools, water filtration and sertu soap-making, as well as nutritional calculations. The experiential approach is designed to help students connect classroom learning with real-world applications, while building their confidence and understanding of the role STEM plays in maintaining Halal integrity across the value chain.
Shamsul Bahri Md Tamrin, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Industry and Community Network), Universiti Putra Malaysia, shared, “Through this collaboration, UPM can bring academic rigour and research expertise to the development of HalSTEM, while Nestlé Malaysia contributes practical industry insights. Together, we can create learning experiences that are both scientifically grounded and relevant to the realities of the Halal sector. We also see strong potential for knowledge exchange and research collaboration in Halal science and technology.”
The partnership builds on Halal@STEM programmes previously conducted in Terengganu and Melaka. Under the MoU and HalSTEM programme that was officially launched together at MIHAS, Nestlé Malaysia and UPM will work to reach more students and educators across Peninsular Malaysia, with the longer-term aim of extending the programme nationwide. UPM will also support the development of HalSTEM modules and act as a key reference point for the initiative. The collaboration strengthens linkages between academia and industry, supporting national priorities to build STEM competencies and Halal awareness among young Malaysians, while developing a future-ready and industry-relevant talent pipeline.
