OSAKA, 12 Oct – Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has further strengthened its leadership in global halal research and innovation through the UTM–Japan Halal Global Initiative, a week-long academic and networking mission across Kyoto, Kobe, and Osaka.
The delegation was led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aminudin Hehsan, Director of the Centre for Fiqh Science and Technology (CFiRST), together with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Fauzi Abu@Hussin, Deputy Dean (Research, Innovation and Development), Dr. Mohammad Naqib Hamdan, UTM Halal Coordinator, Dr. Fahrul Irfan Ishak, Dr. Nur Izzati Mohamad Norzilan, and Dr. Mohd Hafiz Mohd Dasar from the Academy of Islamic Civilization (ATI), Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities (FSSH). The mission aimed to expand UTM’s halal research diplomacy through strategic partnerships with Japanese universities, research organizations, and halal industry stakeholders.
Among the key engagements was a meeting with Prof. Dr. Quamrul Hasan, Vice President of the Japan Society for Halal Science and Technology (JAHAS) and Specially Appointed Professor at the Institute for International Initiatives, The University of Osaka. Both parties agreed to collaborate on halal scientific research, ethical standardization, and professional training, while emphasizing the integration of Shariah-based ethical frameworks into Japan’s emerging halal ecosystem. The delegation also met with the Japanese Halal Association (JHA) to discuss halal auditor training, certification management, and industry collaboration, reflecting Japan’s growing commitment to halal professional development.
UTM representatives also participated in the International Halal Ecosystem Conference (IHC Osaka 2025), which brought together scholars, policymakers, and industry experts from across Asia and the Middle East. During the conference, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Fauzi Abu@Hussin and Dr. Fahrul Irfan Ishak highlighted Malaysia’s leadership in halal innovation, bioethics, and sustainable technology, reinforcing UTM’s role as a regional thought leader in halal research.
A visit led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aminudin Hehsan included an engagement with Kyoto Prefectural University (KPU), a renowned institution recognized for its sociological research on sustainability. The discussions explored joint research initiatives, academic exchange programmes, and postgraduate collaborations under the Summer School.
Meanwhile, another visit led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Mohd Fauzi Abu@Hussin involved a series of engagements with Kyoto University, the birthplace of 7 Nobel Award recipients, to discuss potential collaborations in Islamic economics and comparative ethical finance. The delegation met with representatives from the Kyoto University Office of Research Acceleration (KURA) and the Graduate School of Asian and African Area Studies (ASAFAS) to explore opportunities for joint research projects, Sumitomo Foundation frameworks, co-authored publications, and the establishment of a Kyoto–UTM research field office in Johor Bahru. The visit also reaffirmed the shared academic interests of both institutions in halal and Islamic economics, further strengthening their long-standing academic relationship.
To expand UTM’s halal research footprint in Japan, Dr. Mohammad Naqib Hamdan visited the laboratory of Prof. Michiya Matsusaki at Osaka University, a research group specializing in 3D bioprinting cultured meat and tissue engineering. The discussion focused on halal-compliant bioprocessing, serum-free culture media, and the integration of Shariah-based ethical assessment models in biotechnology research. A subsequent meeting with Prof. Dr. Quamrul Hasan examined the classification of bio-based food materials, such as bio-naphtha, and their contribution to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In addition, the delegation made significant visits to key religious and community hubs, including Kobe Mosque, Osaka Ibaraki Mosque, and the Japan Dakwah Centre (JDC). These engagements fostered meaningful dialogues with influential local leaders, notably Imam Yusuf and Imam Mohsin al-Misri. The discussions offered critical insights into the state of Islam in Japan, the role of culturally adaptive dakwah approaches, and the growing need for halal food accessibility to support Muslim life in a predominantly non-Muslim society. These dialogues contributed to UTM’s ongoing research on comparative fiqh and global halal culture, reinforcing the social and humanitarian dimensions of halal awareness.
According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aminudin Hehsan, “Through this initiative, UTM is taking an important step in shaping the future of the global halal ecosystem. We aim to go beyond compliance by promoting ethical innovation and strengthening collaborations that unite science, technology, and Shariah principles. Our engagement with Japan reflects UTM’s commitment to advancing halal research with integrity, sustainability, and real impact for the global community.”
The initiative concluded successfully, establishing a strong foundation for long-term academic, research, and industry collaborations, reaffirming UTM’s commitment to advancing ethical, sustainable, and globally relevant halal innovation.
Source: UTM NewsHub