UP IIS Faculty Serve as Adjunct Faculty in AIM-SEELL Halal and Islamic Finance Program

Faculty members of the UP Institute of Islamic Studies (UP IIS) contributed their expertise as adjunct faculty in the executive education program “Philippine Halal Industry and Islamic Banking and Finance,” offered by the School of Executive Education and Lifelong Learning of the Asian Institute of Management (AIM) in partnership with the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF).

Representing UP IIS were Atty. Mehol K. Sadain, who served as faculty lead and organized the team of lecturers for the program; Assoc. Prof. Nefertari A. Arsad; and Ustadh Luqman Bin Usman Imam, who served as resource persons throughout the program. 

Held from March to June 2026, the course aimed “to equip Philippine businesses engaged in food, non-food, and logistics/supply chain services with the basic and advanced knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to penetrate the local and global halal industry” (School of Executive Education and Lifelong Learning, 2026).

Drawing from their academic and professional expertise, the UP IIS lecturers delivered sessions on key topics, including the global halal industry, Islamic banking and finance, the Philippine halal ecosystem, and local and international halal certification. Their participation provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the principles, opportunities, and emerging developments shaping the halal economy.

The participation of UP IIS faculty in this executive education program reflects the Institute’s commitment to advancing Islamic knowledge beyond the classroom through meaningful partnerships and knowledge exchange. 

Aligned with its mission to highlight the role of Islam as a transformative framework for human development and civilization and to serve as a leading center for research and knowledge production in Islamic Studies, UP IIS actively engages in extension work through faculty participation as lecturers, consultants, and resource persons, while also producing research that informs policy and practice.

The short course was attended by personnel from the NCMF, representatives of halal certification bodies, halal food entrepreneurs, and government agencies implementing halal-related programs.