Lecturers from the Biology Cluster, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Semarang State University (FMIPA-UNNES), along with lecturers from the Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya (FS-UM), visited the Halal Science Center, University of Chulalongkorn (HSC-UC), Thailand. The visit aimed to establish a halal research collaboration between FMIPA Unnes, FS UM, and HSC-UC. The Unnes collaborative research delegation, led by Prof. Dr. Ari Yuniastuti, M.Kes., conducted a research project titled “Halal Foods Industry: Comparison of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand,” with members Prof. Dr. drh. R. Susanti, MP, and Prof. Dr. Noor Aini Habibah, M.Si. The UM delegation was led by Dr. Maisarah binti Hasbullah and included Dr. Suzana Ariff binti Azizan, and Dr. Mohd Zufri Mamat.
The event began with remarks and a presentation on the HSC-UC overview by Dr. Pornpimol Mahammed (Dr. Hameda). Halal Science Center Chulalongkorn University is one of the first halal research centers in the world from Thailand, founded by Prof. Winai Dahkan (grandson of KH Ahmad Dahlan). For information, HSC-CU is currently developing a number of programs related to halal products, including: Halal ICT Development, Halal Forensics using DNA tracing and nanotechnology, Halal farming, Halal Cosmetics, Halal services in Hospitals, Halal catering for food on airplanes and others. According to Dr. Hameda, Halal Science Center-UC is willing to collaborate and provide extraordinary opportunities for lecturers and students to research, use HSC-UC laboratory facilities for free in halal research collaboration, internships for students, and joint publications in the Journal of Halal Science, Industry and Business. Also Halal Training activities through laboratory activities include Alcohol testing in food and beverage products using the GC-MS method, Fatty Acid testing using the GC-MS method, Gelatin testing of food products using the UV-Vis Spectrophotometer method and DNA testing of food products derived from meat using the RT-PCR method.
The next activity was a visit to HSC-UC’s laboratories, accompanied by Dr. Pornpimol Mahamad (Dr. Hameda) and Dr. Nureesun Mahamud. The laboratories visited included the Main Laboratory, the Biotechnology Laboratory, the Nutritional Biochemistry Laboratory, and others. HSC-UC has also produced a Rapid Test Kit to detect non-halal products for industrial use.
The event concluded with the signing of the Implementation Arrangement (IA), an exchange of souvenirs between the two parties, and a group photo session with the delegations of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA)-UNNES, the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences-UM, and the Halal Science Center, Chulalongkorn University.
