JAKARTA – The Special Branch of Muhammadiyah Thailand (PCIM Thailand) has established collaborative ties with the Halal Science Center at Chulalongkorn University (HSC), marking a significant step toward advancing halal research and innovation across Southeast Asia.

Strategic Collaboration for Knowledge Exchange

The partnership, formalized during a recent visit to HSC facilities, aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and explore cooperative opportunities between the two institutions. The collaboration focuses on three primary areas: education, halal research and innovation, and community capacity building throughout Thailand and the broader ASEAN region.

Building Cross-Border Academic Bridges

Andi Subhan Husain, chairman of PCIM Thailand, emphasized the organization’s strategic role as a diaspora institution facilitating academic, cultural, and humanitarian collaboration between Thailand and Indonesia. This initiative reflects Muhammadiyah’s global commitment to progressive Islamic values.

“We greatly value this opportunity to engage directly with Thailand’s premier halal institution. PCIM Thailand stands ready to serve as a bridge, facilitating educational visits, student mobility programs, and academic partnerships connecting Indonesian universities—particularly those under Muhammadiyah’s network—with Thai academic institutions,” Andi stated during the Wednesday meeting in Bangkok on September 29.

Historical and Emotional Connections

Dr. Winai Dahlan, founder and director advisor of the Halal Science Center, welcomed the partnership warmly, reflecting on the long-standing academic friendship between Indonesia and Thailand.

“Although Muhammadiyah in Indonesia and the Muhammadiyah Foundation in Thailand lack formal structural ties, they share deep emotional and historical connections rooted in a common vision: advancing education, social services, and Islamic enlightenment globally,” Dr. Dahlan explained.

These shared values and collective spirit have significantly influenced Muhammadiyah’s development in Thailand. Dr. Dahlan, a direct descendant of Muhammadiyah founder KH Ahmad Dahlan, reaffirmed HSC’s commitment to continued communication and establishing a collaborative framework for future initiatives.

“This partnership aims to strengthen halal science, promote ethical innovation, and empower Muslim communities throughout ASEAN,” he added.

Diplomatic Support

The meeting included participation from Dedi Cahyadi Irianto, Research Attaché at the Indonesian Embassy in Bangkok, who also serves as advisor to PCIM Thailand. The embassy’s involvement adds significant diplomatic dimension to the cooperation, strengthening ties among government entities, academic institutions, and Muslim communities in both nations.

Expected Impact

The collaboration between PCIM Thailand and the Halal Science Center is expected to catalyze knowledge-based halal science development grounded in social responsibility, generating wide-ranging impact for both Indonesia and Thailand, as well as Muslim communities throughout Southeast Asia generally.

Scope of Cooperation

The partnership encompasses several key components:

Educational Exchange: Facilitating student and faculty visits between Indonesian and Thai institutions

Research Collaboration: Joint halal research projects and innovation initiatives

Academic Partnerships: Formal agreements between universities in Muhammadiyah’s network and Thai academic institutions

Community Development: Capacity-building programs targeting Muslim communities in Thailand and ASEAN

Knowledge Transfer: Sharing expertise and best practices in halal science and certification

Regional Significance

This collaboration positions both institutions at the forefront of halal research development in Southeast Asia, a region with substantial Muslim populations and growing halal market demand. The partnership leverages complementary strengths: Indonesia’s extensive Islamic educational network through Muhammadiyah and Thailand’s advanced halal science infrastructure at Chulalongkorn University.

By combining resources and expertise, the partnership aims to address regional needs for halal certification standards, product innovation, and scientific research supporting the halal industry’s continued growth across ASEAN member states.

Future Prospects

The initial meeting establishes groundwork for ongoing dialogue and concrete collaborative projects. Both institutions expressed commitment to developing detailed implementation frameworks that will guide future cooperation in education, research, and community engagement.

This partnership represents a model for cross-border Islamic educational cooperation, demonstrating how diaspora organizations and academic institutions can work together to advance shared goals while respecting national boundaries and institutional independence.

Original Article:

Muhammadiyah. (2025, October 13). PCIM Thailand dan HSC Chulalongkorn Sinergi Kembangkan Riset dan Inovasi Halal. Retrieved from https://muhammadiyah.or.id/2025/10/pcim-thailand-dan-hsc-chulalongkorn-sinergi-kembangkan-riset-dan-inovasi-halal/