Halal Incubator Satellite Laboratory

KPT – UTM Pagoh Campus

BACKGROUND

In 2019, UTM through CCIN received UCTC funding worth RM100,000 from the Ministry of Education Malaysia for a project to develop a halal food production workshop incubator. The project, led by Associate Prof. Dr. Ahmad bin Che Yaacob, aimed to help SME entrepreneurs obtain halal certification.

The project involved 39 SME entrepreneurs in Batu Pahat who faced difficulties obtaining JAKIM halal certification because they were using home kitchens for production. To overcome this problem, a specialized facility, the KPT-UTM Halal Incubator, was established at UTM Pagoh Campus in collaboration with ICA.

Since beginning operations in January 2021, the incubator has achieved significant successes. Three ICA products received JAKIM halal certification for freeze-dried fruit products. ICA also received halal certification for contract manufacturing. Two pioneer companies – Jamaliah Juri Enterprise and Haslin Binti Md Basar – successfully obtained halal certification for their prawn finger crackers and frozen curry puffs respectively.

Through collaboration with UTM’s Halal Training Provider, the incubator is now poised to offer comprehensive services to industry and community partners, including halal food production facilities, certification consultancy, product research and development, and professional halal training programs. This integrated approach positions UTM as a one-stop center for halal indus

OBJECTIVE

Provide research and product development services; and implement module courses for Halal Certification incubator training program, Halal premises consultation as well as guidance in submission of Halal Certification for SME industry

VISION

To be a one -stop center for Halal Certification that focuses on helping the community and the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) industry

SUCCESS STORY

Two IKS entrepreneurs have successfully obtained a halal certificate by using UTM Pagoh’s halal incubator facility. With this, UTM Pagoh hopes that with the help provided, SME entrepreneurs can further expand the market with products that have halal approval.

Innovation Center in AgrItechnology for Advanced Bioprocessing (ICA), UTM Pagoh Campus with the collaboration with District Office Tangkak, Holistics Lab Sdn Bhd and Centre for Community and Industry UTM, had successfully implemented Halal Awareness and Guidance Program for 20 SME’s entrepreneurs on 16th and 17th October 2022.
Two selected SME’s also were rewarded with collaboration in producing product’s prototype, led by Ts. Dr Nor Zalina Othman dan Ts. Dr Harisun Yaakob. A prototype of new formulation of Keropok Otak-Otak was successfully implemented for Otak-Otak Ledang Enterprise while a prototype of labelling and packaging for Kerepek Tiram was successfully completed for Kerepek Ledang HQ.