ITS Promotes Halal Research Commercialization to Strengthen the Halal Ecosystem in Higher Education

[Yogyakarta, August 10, 2026] — Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) contributed to the Panel Discussion “Strengthening the Role of Halal Institutions in Higher Education in Building the Halal Ecosystem in 2026,” organized by the Halal Center of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta in collaboration with Bank Indonesia’s Yogyakarta Representative Office (KPw DIY) on Monday, August 10, 2026, at the University Hotel, Yogyakarta. Held from 08:00 to 14:30 WIB, the forum brought together various halal institutions from higher education to discuss strategies for strengthening the halal ecosystem in the Special Region of Yogyakarta.

The forum was attended by representatives of various university-based halal institutions and Halal Inspection Bodies (LPH), including the Halal Centers of Universitas Ahmad Dahlan, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Universitas Islam Indonesia, Universitas Nahdlatul Ulama Yogyakarta, and Universitas ‘Aisyiyah Yogyakarta, as well as LPH UGM, LPH UII, and LPH UIN Sunan Kalijaga. Participants also included members of the International Summer Program (ISP) FST.

In the main session, Prof. Setiyo Gunawan, S.T., Ph.D., IPM., Head of the ITS Halal Study Center, served as a speaker and delivered a presentation on “Halal Research Commercialization in Supporting the Halal Ecosystem.” The presentation highlighted the importance of universities not only serving as centers of education and research, but also translating research outcomes into practical innovations that provide tangible benefits to society and the halal industry.

One of the key areas of halal research development discussed was the use of big data to support halal product authentication. A data-driven approach can contribute to the development of technologies that strengthen the identification, traceability, and verification of halal status in a more systematic manner. The utilization of data from multiple sources also creates opportunities to develop authentication systems that are faster, more accurate, and integrated with industry needs and halal product assurance processes.

The development of big-data-based halal authentication demonstrates how university research can be directed toward addressing real-world challenges in the halal industry. The integration of scientific knowledge, digital technology, data, and regulatory requirements is expected to generate innovations that support traceability, transparency, and greater consumer confidence in halal products.

The event also featured Assoc. Prof. Bethania Kartika Muflih from International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM), who delivered a session entitled “Contemporary Rulings on Halal Issues in the Modern World.” The discussion was followed by a question-and-answer session and a summary of the key outcomes.

Through the discussion, strengthening the institutional capacity of university-based Halal Study Centers was positioned not only around education and training, but also around halal research commercialization, authentication technology development, big data utilization, industry assistance, and multi-stakeholder collaboration. Universities are expected to serve as bridges connecting research, technology, regulation, industry, and society, enabling research outcomes to create meaningful impacts on the development of the halal industry.

ITS’s participation in the forum reaffirms its commitment to contributing to the development of Indonesia’s halal ecosystem through institutional strengthening, halal research commercialization, human resource development, technological innovation, and multi-stakeholder collaboration.

Going forward, stronger networks among university-based halal institutions are expected to create broader opportunities for collaboration in research, education, training, industry assistance, and the development of data-driven halal authentication technologies that are professional, innovative, sustainable, and globally competitive