Universiti Islam Sultan Sharif Ali (UNISSA), in collaboration with Osaka University (OU), recently hosted the virtual International Symposium of Osaka University ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum-Halal Innovation online.
The symposium, aligned with sustainable development goals (SDGs), focused on the halal industry’s potential long-term benefits, through SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
The programme began with keynote presentations from Professor Yoshinori Sumimura from OU, Associate Professor Dr Nazlida Muhamad from Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Datin Hajah Norliza binti Dato Seri Setia Haji Mahalle from UNISSA and Dr Nur Rahman from Pristine Pacific Australia.
Associate Professor Dr Shaizatulaqma Kamalul Ariffin from Universiti Sains Malaysia, Associate Professor Dr Yuliana Dwi Lestari from Institute of Technology Bandung Indonesia and Associate Professor Dr Zalina Zakaria of Universiti Malaya were also invited to the symposium.
The three-hour programme provided knowledge on the challenges of implementing and regulating the halal industry, as well as its comprehensive direction.
It also emphasised the significance of halal industry and Thayyiban in daily life, raising awareness about the right to access halal products and the responsibility to choose among Muslim consumers. The symposium aimed to provide a platform for discussions on issues and challenges related to halal industry among academic members and industry practitioners.
The panel of experts also discussed the utilisation of halal in the Sultanate. – James Kon