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 represents a significant step in bridging industry and academia, with both parties sharing a common objective of equipping young Malaysians with the 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 approximately 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, the programme featured interactive experiments, exhibition booths, competitions and knowledge-sharing sessions aimed at enriching students’ understanding of Halal STEM in an engaging and applied manner.

Beyond student-focused initiatives, the MoU also sets out broader areas of collaboration, including joint research in Halal science and food innovation, knowledge-sharing sessions, as well as participation in conferences, workshops and academic publications. These efforts are intended to strengthen academia-industry linkages, promote innovation and build 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 future talent for the industry. He added that the collaboration aims to spark students’ interest in STEM from a Halal perspective while providing exposure to how science and technology shape the Halal ecosystem. He also noted that such initiatives support national efforts 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 nurturing 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 direct insights from industry leaders and highlighted career opportunities in 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 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, offering 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.