Nestlé Malaysia has reaffirmed its long-standing commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s Halal ecosystem and nurturing 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 represents a significant step in bridging industry and academia, with both parties sharing a common goal of equipping young Malaysians with the skills needed to thrive in the evolving Halal industry. The signing ceremony took place during the Halal STEM Expo at the IIUM Kuantan Campus, which attracted around 500 participants comprising upper secondary school students from across Pahang.
Through 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 real-world learning experiences. The Halal STEM Expo, held as part of this initiative, featured interactive experiments, exhibition booths, competitions and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at enriching student engagement and understanding.
Beyond student-focused initiatives, the MoU also outlines broader areas of collaboration, including joint research in Halal science and food-related innovation, knowledge-sharing sessions, as well as participation in conferences, workshops and academic publications. These efforts are intended to strengthen academic-industry linkages, foster innovation and develop a strong pipeline of future Halal talent.
Nestlé Malaysia Head of Halal Affairs, Nasrul Hadi Mohamed Nor, said the company’s commitment to Halal extends beyond ensuring high standards in its products and operations, and includes nurturing the next generation of talent for the Halal industry. He added that the collaboration aims to spark students’ interest in STEM from a Halal perspective while providing them with real-world insights into how science and technology support the Halal ecosystem. He also noted that these initiatives align with the government’s goal of increasing STEM participation among students and 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 the collaboration reflects a shared commitment to nurturing future leaders and strengthening Islamic STEM (Halal-STEM) education. She highlighted that the partnership is rooted 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 growing 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 exposure to career opportunities in Halal STEM fields.
The programme also featured the Innovate Challenge, where secondary school and university students developed and presented innovative prototypes focused on sustainability and aligned with Halal STEM principles. Nestlé Malaysia played an active role throughout the competition as judges and mentors, while interactive exhibition booths allowed students to explore the company’s Halal value chain and gain a closer 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.
