HSC IPB University Holds MBKM Program to Support Halal Product Process
The Halal Science Center (HSC) IPB University has once again opened the Freedom of Learning – Independence Campus (MBKM) Program for Supporting the Halal Product Process (PPH) for IPB University students on Friday (23/2). This program will run from February to May and is attended by 60 students from various universities across the country. The aim is for the MBKM program to assist businesses around the campus in obtaining halal certification.
“This activity aims to provide learning about halal science, halal system and management, halal certification, and its implementation in Micro and Small Enterprises (UMK). This program is also integrated into the IPB 305 Community Development Course with a recognition system worth 3 semester credit units (SKS),” said Dr Yuni Cahya Endrawati, Coordinator of the MBKM Program for Supporting the Halal Product Process.
Furthermore, she explained that this program is motivated by Law No. 33 of 2014 concerning Halal Product Assurance. Under this law, all UMKs are required to have halal status starting from October 2024. “Students will be equipped with insights into halal products as well as training certificates before they engage in assisting business practices,” said Dr Yuni. Next, she said, business actors will be accompanied to register for halal certification based on the business actor’s statement (self-declare) through a series of PPH companion inspections.
Dr Noviyan Darmawan, representing HSC IPB University, explained that this program is the embodiment of HSC IPB University’s contribution to society in the field of halal products. After the program ends, students also have the opportunity to join research and innovation in halal products. “In August 2024, HSC IPB will also hold a Summer School with the theme ‘Advanced Technology and Innovation in the Halal Industry.’ Students who participate in this MBKM program will be prioritized to join as committee members or participants of the Summer School,” he explained.
The Chairman of the IPB University International Research Institute for Food, Nutrition, and Health, Prof Drajat Martianto, officially opened the MBKM Program for Supporting the Halal Product Process. He said this program provides an opportunity for students to enrich themselves through direct practice. “Students will play a role in helping to provide certainty to consumers about halal assurance and create UMKs in accordance with applicable regulations,” concluded Prof Drajat.
Prof Drajat explained that halal status is very important in Indonesia. Based on data from 2021 to 2022, UMKs’ contribution to the national gross reached trillions of rupiah. This value is more than three times the government’s budget and has contributed to employment up to 97 percent. However, of the 64 million UMKs, one-third are in the food industry and still require halal assurance. “In a few years, we hope that UMKs will have halal assurance, and HSC IPB will become one of the leading halal certification institutions in Indonesia and even in Southeast Asia thanks to the participation of students involved in this MBKM program,” he concluded. (MW) (IAAS/Hap)
