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‘Academia plays crucial role in innovation’
SEVERAL higher education institutions (HEIs), with some represented by university chief executives, joined the Universiti Teknologi Petronas (UTP)-Philippine Industry Partners Roundtable organized by the Embassy of Malaysia in Makati City on Feb. 12, 2025.
The event focused on technology transfer, energy security and transition, and the halal industry, which UTP had been actively doing the past seven years, particularly in Mindanao.
In his opening remarks, UTP Vice Chancellor Dato’ Mohamed Ibrahim Abdul Mutalib said "the presence of esteemed experts, policymakers, and industry leaders at the forum reflects the importance of the topics that we are addressing today. The advancement of halal technology and the transition toward secure and sustainable energy solutions are not only critical to our respective nations but also to the broader Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region. These are complex challenges that require a collaborative, interdisciplinary, and cross-sectoral approach to ensure meaningful and sustainable solutions."
"At UTP, we strongly believe that the best solutions emerge when academia, industry, government, and civil society work in synergy," he added, mentioning the Triple Helix model, which links universities, industries and government entities.
"By integrating societal and community engagement into this framework, we can evolve toward a Quadruple Helix collaboration, ensuring that the outcomes of our efforts are aligned with the broader needs of society. In this regard, UTP envisions a strengthened partnership with universities in the Philippines, industry leaders, and policymakers to develop an integrated framework that fosters research collaboration, technology transfer, policy alignment, and societal impact," he explained.
"Our collaborative efforts have led to several impactful initiatives, including the Halal Transparent Traceability System, or Hatts, a groundbreaking innovation launched in June 2023. Hatts leverages a decentralized ledger to enhance transparency within the Philippine chocolate supply chain [with a farm in Davao in collaboration with the University of Southeastern Philippines, or USeP]," he said.
IoT, blockchain technology for accuracy
He explained further that integrating Internet of Things or IoT and blockchain technology automates data collection, minimizes human intervention, improves accuracy, and provides intelligent reporting to support informed decision-making.
"One of Hatts’ key features is its publicly accessible QR code system, which ensures immutability and decentralization of product data. This strengthens trust, efficiency, and accountability across the halal supply chain, ensuring compliance and authenticity for both consumers and stakeholders," he informed.
Malaysian Ambassador Dato’ Abdul Malik Melvin Castelino said the Malaysian Embassy has been committed to extending its assistance to the Philippine government to develop its halal industry.
"We are working with several government agencies, such as the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), the Department of Tourism (DOT), and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (Tesda), to come up with meaningful programs and discussions on halal. And I am very much happy to say that the Philippines is slowly building a strong halal industry. In the previous years, we witnessed several achievements, such as the opening of a halal-friendly destination in Boracay by the DOT, and the opening of an Islamic bank in Zamboanga by Maybank Philippines," he said.
Role of education
"In addition to these efforts, I must say that the role of education is indispensable. As we strive for excellence in halal technology and energy security, we must ensure that the workforce is equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to drive innovation and meet the demands of these sectors. Education, at all levels, will play a crucial role in developing the next generation of leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who can sustain the growth of these industries," Ambassador Castelino emphasized.
"In this setting, education is essential for encouraging innovation and developing the future leaders who will direct these industries toward progress. We are excited to see UTP’s expertise in halal technology and energy security being applied to educational programs that can be integrated into institutions in the Philippines. This will allow us to provide students with the vital information and skills they need to succeed in a growing and dynamic industry," he said.
As an added information, Castelino said Malaysia has officially taken on the chairmanship of Asean as of Jan. 1, 2025.
"With a focus on inclusivity and sustainability, our objective is to foster enhanced peace, stability, and prosperity both regionally and globally. In this context, Malaysia has emerged as a significant contributor within Asean, tackling strategic issues and global challenges including the conflict in Palestine, the South China Sea disputes, and competition among great powers," he outlined.
"Our initiatives encompass business forums, roundtable discussions focused on trade and investment, arts and cultural activities, and academic collaborations aimed at promoting economic integration and knowledge exchange between Malaysia and the Philippines. Our emphasis is on areas including capacity building, the halal industry, infrastructure development, the digital economy, and renewable energy," he said.
The Philippines will take the Asean chairmanship in 2026.
HEIs present included USeP, Technological University of the Philippines, Kalinga State University, Mapua University, Adamson University, Batangas State University, Guimaras State University led by President Lilian Diana Parreño, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology headed by Chancellor Alizedney Ditucalan, Occidental Mindoro State College, Palawan State University, Western Philippines University, Davao del Sur State College, Marinduque State University, Romblon State University led by President Merian Catajay-Mani, De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and Asian Institute of Management.
Industrial and government agencies included M&T Consultants, Islamic Company, PNOC Exploration Corp., Department of Science and Technology-Mimaropa, Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Mimaropa, MS3 Agri-Ventures Corp., Tinhat Co. Inc., CHED-National Capital Region, Tesda, Colombo Plan Staff College, and DTI.
February 19, 2025 at 05:21PM
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The Manila Times