The signing of the MoU by ITS Vice-Chancellor IV Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng Ph.D. (front right) with the East Java MUI KPEU accompanied by the East Java Governor and the East Java MUI Chair

ITS Campus, ITS News – The Institut Teknologi Sepuluh November (ITS) is increasingly ready to build a halal ecosystem in East Java. The involvement of ITS evidence this as one of the partners in the signing of a memorandum of understanding or Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ITS and the Commission for Economic Empowerment of the Indonesian Ulema Council (KPEU MUI) East Java with the Governor of East Java, last Wednesday (26/5).

Taking place at the White Sand Beach Tourism Wisda Rengganis, Situbondo, this event carried the theme of a Field Visit (Preparation of the Display of Halal Chains for IKM and SME Products) and the Signing of the Situbondo Declaration (Memorandum of Understanding for Economic Empowerment & Development of Halal Value Chain in East Java).

According to the Head of the ITS Halal Study Center, Prof. Setiyo Gunawan ST Ph.D., the contents of the Situbondo Declaration have five critical points. Among them are developing the economy and halal value chain, designing pesantren empowerment and pesantren economic empowerment, developing food security, developing Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and growing new entrepreneurs younger generation.

The National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST) alumnus explained that this MoU also involved the Regent of Situbondo Karna Suswandi, 28 partners consisting of higher education institutions, SMEs in Situbondo Regency, government institutions, youth organizations, Islamic boarding schools, and other relevant agencies.

(from left) Prof Setiyo Gunawan ST PhD, Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng PhD, and Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSi PhD as delegates from ITS in signing the MoU

The Vice-Chancellor IV for Research, Innovation, Cooperation, and Alumni Bambang Pramujati ST MScEng Ph.D., Director of Research and Community Service (DRPM) Agus Muhamad Hatta ST MSi Ph.D., and Head of the ITS Halal Study Center Prof Setiyo Gunawan ST Ph.D.

Setiyo Gunawan revealed that Situbondo was chosen to host the MoU because the area was a revitalization of the former Papin Carita Restaurant, where the location was often used to display SME-IKM products in the halal chain. “Later on, there will be four other areas that will be developed besides Situbondo as representatives of the eastern region,” said the lecturer, who is often called Gunawan.

The other four regions are the northern and southern regions, the western region, and the Madura region. In addition, nine items will be invested in each region to develop the Halal Value Chain. “These are the MUI Halal Certification Corner, Halal UKM Displays, Restaurants that carry Nusantara Food Culinary, Meeting Hubs, Sea Tours, Bank Jatim Cash Counters/ATM Centers, Guest Houses, PertaShop & Auto Care, and Halal Fashion & Cosmetic Outlets,” he explained.

This Chemical Engineering Department lecturer added that ITS supports the Situbondo Declaration and plays a role in socializing the Halal Safe and Lock Industrial Area in Sidoarjo. Furthermore, in line with Gunawan, ITS Vice-Chancellor IV also gave full support for implementing the Halal Value Chain program.

In the future, Gunawan hopes that with the ITS Halal Study Center, which is a reference institution in science and technology-based halal studies, ITS is more ready to collaborate with the business world, institutions, and Islamic Mass Organizations in welcoming the era of the halal industry both nationally and internationally. “I also hope for cooperation between stakeholders so that the halal ecosystem can soon be realized in Indonesia,” he concluded. (ITS Public Relation)

Reporter: Erchi Ad’ha Loyensya