Central Mindanao University Academic Paradise of the South
Two esteemed faculty members from the College of Human Ecology, Dr. Annie Fritce Aballe and Dr. Lotis Joy Pesisano joined 25 grantees from State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) in the Philippines for an intensive short-term course titled “Halal Food Standard Compliance: From Concept to Implementation” held from November 10 to 19, 2024. This initiative was made possible through the Commission on Higher Education – HUSAY Grant in partnership with Universitas Bakrie in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The program hosted at JS Luwansa Hotel and Universitas Bakrie provided in-depth knowledge of the global Halal industry, focusing on compliance and best practices in production. Delegates delved into topics such as the fundamental principles of Islamic law on Halal foods, Halal certification requirements, and the application of Halal standards in diverse industries, including meat, poultry, seafood, and dairy production.
A notable program highlight was a courtesy visit to the Philippine Embassy in Indonesia, where discussions centered on strengthening academic and diplomatic collaboration between the Philippines and Indonesia. Furthermore, Dr. Aballe and Dr. Pesisano participated in site visits to three Halal-certified manufacturing facilities: PT. Yili Indonesia Dairy, PT. YoyiC Dairy Indonesia, and PT. Aerofood Indonesia. These visits offered hands-on exposure to advanced Halal-compliant manufacturing processes, underscoring the critical role of innovation in upholding religious and quality standards.
Moreover, the program aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 4: Quality Education and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. By enhancing the capacity of educators in Halal food standards, the initiative promotes inclusive and equitable education while fostering sustainable food production practices that cater to global demands for Halal-certified products.
Dr. Aballe and Dr. Pesisano also presented a sample curriculum integrating Halal food standards to CHED and Universitas Bakrie representatives. The curriculum, designed to enhance academic programs in Hospitality Management and Food Science and Technology, aims to align education in SUCs with global Halal standards. Their presentation also highlighted key learning outcomes from the course and proposed strategies for institutional implementation.
Dr. Aballe noted, “This training has equipped us with the tools to advance Halal compliance in our academic programs and contribute to the growing global demand for Halal-certified products.” Dr. Pesisano added, “By integrating Halal standards into our curriculum, we ensure our students are prepared to navigate an increasingly diverse and competitive food industry.”
This collaboration between CHED and Universitas Bakrie marks a significant milestone in enhancing the expertise of Filipino educators in Halal food production and compliance, ensuring that Philippine higher education institutions remain active contributors to the global food sector (information from Dr. Pesisano and Dr. Aballe, faculty, CHE)
