thebantenpost.com. Mandaluyong City, Philippines — Mathla’ul Anwar University (UNMA) has once again made Indonesia proud on the international stage. Mohammad Zen, a lecturer at UNMA, was invited as a speaker at the International Halal Conference and World Halal Food Council 2nd Assembl, held in Mandaluyong City, Philippines, on October 28–29, 2025.
In the prestigious forum attended by global halal experts, regulators, industry leaders, and academics, Mohammad Zen delivered a presentation titled “Building Brand Trust & Authenticity in a Digital World.”
In his session, he emphasized that technological advancements in the digital era pose major challenges to brand reputation, security, and public trust. According to him, the spread of fake news, cyberattacks, and data breaches have become serious threats to the business world.
“In today’s open digital environment, public trust is the most valuable asset an organization can have. Therefore, all stakeholders must commit to transparency, security, and integrity in every operational aspect to ensure consumers feel safe and confident,” said Mohammad Zen.
He further highlighted Indonesia’s role as a global reference in strengthening halal trust, thanks to the implementation of the Halal Product Assurance System (SJPH, which ensures product traceability throughout the entire process, from raw materials and production to the final product.
“Halal certification is not merely about meeting Sharia standards; it is also a strategic instrument to safeguard authenticity and enhance the competitiveness of halal products in the international market. Indonesia has tremendous potential to become a global halal hub if it maintains credibility and consistency in supervision,” he added.
UNMA’s presence in this international forum reaffirms its commitment to developing a strong halal research and industry ecosystem while expanding strategic global networks. This aligns with UNMA’s vision to become an excellent Islamic university contributing to national progress and global civilization.
Through active participation in international forums, UNMA aims to foster collaboration with various research institutions and educational organizations worldwide to strengthen halal research, product innovation, and human resource development in the field.
“UNMA continues to encourage its academic community to engage internationally while inviting partners and stakeholders to contribute to positioning Indonesia as the world’s leading halal hub,” the university’s official statement concluded.
