Kawaguchiko, SouqTimes — As global demand for halal-certified products rises in both Muslim-majority and minority countries, Universitas Indonesia (UI) has positioned itself as a key player in bridging academic excellence, scientific research, and religious compliance. Through its visionary initiative — the UI Halal Center — the university is taking bold steps to contribute to the national and international halal ecosystem.

Launched in 25th of September 2017, the UI Halal Center was established as a Special Work Unit for Public Service and Community Engagement under UI’s institutional framework. This initiative supports the Indonesian government’s implementation of Law No. 33 of 2014 on Halal Product Assurance (JPH), which mandates comprehensive halal certification and supervision in the country.

Strategic Collaborations for Global Halal Excellence

To elevate its impact, UI Halal Center entered into strategic partnerships with two prominent institutions: Management & Science University (MSU) from Malaysia and the Indonesian Islamic organization Perhimpunan Al Irsyad.

MSU, which operates an internationally recognized Halal Center, provides institutional mentorship to help UI Halal Center develop in alignment with international halal certification standards. This collaboration promotes knowledge exchange and positions UI within a broader network of global halal research and best practices.

Meanwhile, Perhimpunan Al Irsyad plays a critical role by offering shariah advisory, fatwa consultation, and Islamic scholarly support. With a long-standing history in Islamic education and social activism since 1914, Al Irsyad brings religious depth and legitimacy to UI Halal Center’s services. Their involvement ensures that the Center’s activities adhere to both scientific and Islamic principles.

Additionally, through Al Irsyad’s connections with the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce (KADIN) – Middle East Committee, the UI Halal Center is expected to gain access to vital business networks and Middle Eastern halal markets, expanding its reach and influence beyond national borders.

A Hub of Halal Science, Services, and Empowerment

The UI Halal Center serves as a multifunctional hub where halal integrity is upheld through evidence-based science, community engagement, and Islamic ethics. Its core services include:

• Certified halal testing and analytical services for food, beverages, cosmetics, and other consumer goods

• Consultation and advocacy on halal standards for businesses and entrepreneurs

• Halal literacy programs, workshops, and public campaigns to increase consumer awareness

• Training and capacity-building programs for producers, inspectors, and religious scholars

• Interdisciplinary scientific and Islamic research to support the growth of the halal industry

The Center is also actively preparing for the launch of its own Lembaga Pemeriksa Halal (LPH) or Halal Inspection Body, which will further institutionalize its role in halal auditing and certification. According to Prof. Dr. Amarila Malik, Head of the UI Halal Center Laboratory, the center’s facilities — including its lab and offices — will be housed on the third floor of UI’s Integrated Laboratory Research Center (ILRC).

A Hub of Halal Science, Services, and Empowerment

The UI Halal Center serves as a multifunctional hub where halal integrity is upheld through evidence-based science, community engagement, and Islamic ethics. Its core focus areas include training, research, testing, and certification support:

Halal Training

UI Halal Center offers comprehensive training programs such as:

• Halal Companion Training

• Halal Auditor Training

• Halal Supervisor Training

• Halal Management Training

• Halal Human Resource Development

• System of Halal Product Assurance (SJPH) Training

• SME Capacity Building Programs

These initiatives aim to strengthen human resource capabilities across halal-related industries and prepare professionals to meet the increasing demand for qualified halal inspectors and managers.

Halal Research

Research activities include:

• Halal Product and Service Development

• Policy Formulation, Regulatory Review, and National Recommendations

• Scientific Innovation for the Halal Industry

This research is designed to ensure halal science remains dynamic and responsive to global trends, from food tech to biotechnology and beyond.

Halal Testing

The UI Halal Center laboratory provides a range of scientific testing services, such as:

• Pork skin identification using microscopy

• Ethanol level measurement via gas chromatography

• Testing for pork protein contamination in meat products

• DNA species identification

• Solvent level detection and skin source identification in tanned leather goods

• SNI (Indonesian National Standard) compliance analysis for food products

These tests support halal authentication with a robust scientific foundation, critical to both consumer safety and religious compliance.

Halal Certification Support and Business Mentoring

The center also provides:

• Assistance with halal certification preparation

• Guidance on drafting Halal Product Assurance Systems (SJPH)

• Human resource capacity development

• Support for business digitalization and financing

• Export-readiness coaching for halal-focused entrepreneurs

This end-to-end support ensures that businesses, especially SMEs, can navigate the halal certification process efficiently while scaling their operations for local and global markets.

A National and Global Vision

With Indonesia being the world’s most populous Muslim-majority nation, the establishment of UI Halal Center reflects the country’s ambition to lead the global halal movement. The Center’s vision is not confined to certification alone — it seeks to become a center of excellence for halal science and innovation in Southeast Asia and the Islamic world.

As halal awareness continues to grow across sectors — from pharmaceuticals and fashion to travel and fintech — initiatives like the UI Halal Center represent a forward-thinking model of how academic institutions can actively shape and support the halal economy while promoting religious values and ethical consumption.

By anchoring its mission in both scientific rigor and Islamic jurisprudence, the UI Halal Center is redefining the role of universities in public service — building a halal ecosystem that starts from campus but reaches into communities, industries, and global markets.

Muhammad Raihan Adhika

SouqTimes

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