Ambitious gastronomic partnership
KDU UNIVERSITY College signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Seni Teknologi Sdn Bhd to provide KDU students with the opportunity to take part in the development and maintenance of Malaysian Halal Food Gifts (MHFG), a range of applications for the e-marketplace that could propel Malaysia to become a leading global halal food hub.
During a ceremony held at WOW KL! at the Malaysia Tourism Centre witnessed by Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Nazri Abdul Aziz, signatories from both sides – KDU University College chief marketing officer Sheikh Fahmy Sheikh Mohamed and Seni Technology Sdn Bhd director Syed Hassan Syed Alwi Alhabshee – officially inked the collaborative partnership.
Over the past few years, the Tourism and Culture Ministry has leveraged on Malaysian cuisine to promote the nation as a food tourism destination.
Malaysia is also the first country to have a documented and systematic halal assurance system, making it a leader in the international halal industry.
As such, it is an ideal move to create a range of MHFGs for an e-marketplace that is easily assessable by overseas markets.
This marketplace will complement the Tourism and Culture Ministry’s efforts and give potential tourists a taste of Malaysian cuisine overseas, further enticing them to visit the country.
Dubbed a shelf-stable development project, MHFG leverages on cost-effective and efficient technologies in the e-marketplace, where buyers from all around the world can easily buy Malaysian food products certified by the Department of Islamic Development Malaysia (Jakim).
Throughout the partnership, KDU will work closely with Seni Teknologi Bhd in developing a diverse range of MHFGs that Malaysians can bring abroad and enable customers abroad to enjoy local food delights.
Nazri said: “I am told that 30 suppliers with over 1,000 halal food items have already been listed in the marketplace.
“I hope that more local halal food suppliers will get on board and share our gastronomic delights with Muslims and non-Muslims across the world.”
Sheikh Fahmy said: “This project resonates well with KDU’s vision as a higher learning institution. We strongly believe that our involvement in this project could offer brilliant opportunities for lifelong learning that spans across the research, development and marketing of Malaysian halal food across the world.”
Elaborating on KDU’s role in the partnership, he said: “The School of Computing and Creative Media has been involved in the development of the marketing platform from the beginning.
“One of our Diploma in Computer Studies students is involved in designing and coding the system, while several other diploma students are currently writing unit tests to ensure system integrity.”
He also said students from the School of Communication and Creative Arts (SCCA) could help enhance the “marketability” of Malaysian food and beverage companies and their Halal Food Gifts.
He said they could also explore opportunities to research and assist Malaysian companies in packaging their products into premium Food Gifts for the international market.
“School of Hospitality, Tourism and Culinary Arts (SHTCA) students can take part in developing or fine-tuning food items for Malaysian food and beverage companies and work with students from other schools to do market surveys and sensory testing.
“KDU foresees a great future beyond this prolific collaboration, through which students can benefit from engaging directly with industry players offering realworld solutions at an international standard,” said Sheikh Fahmy.
KDU also takes pride in being able to help Malaysian companies penetrate the global market through this partnership.
KDU’s top management and academics who attended the MoU signing ceremony included vice-chancellor Prof Dr Hiew Pang Leang, corporate strategy development head Brenda Lee, school heads, programme leaders, academic department heads, managers, lecturers and students.
SHTCA students took the opportunity to serve the audience various dishes during the buffet luncheon, while SCCA students acted as photographers and videographers to document the memorable event.
KDU was recently awarded the Putra Brand Awards 2017 in the Education and Learning Category in recognition of its commitment to its brand and academic excellence.
■ For details, drop by KDU’s campuses for its Open Day from to May 20, log on to www.kdu.edu. my or call 03-5565 0538
(KDU University College, Utropolis, Glenmarie) / 03-7953 6688 (KDU College, Damansara Jaya).