UNIVERSITI Brunei Darussalam (UBD) yesterday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry of Industry and Primary Resources (MIPR) to conduct joint academic and research programmes with the ministry in the near future.

The areas of cooperation under the MoU will include information and knowledge exchanges, attachment programmes, study visits, as well as research and consultancy activities relevant to improving industrial policies in the sultanate.

One of the joint programmes under way is in the field of science and technology research relevant to Brunei's halal industry, the ministry said in a media release.

The initiative is expected to bring about development in scientific and technological aspects of halal product preparation, which will see the possibility of halal product certification based on scientific evidence.

UBD's Professor of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Professor Dr Abd-ElAziem Farouk Gad, who is spearheading the initiative, presented his findings on the development of DNA-based detection systems during the signing ceremony.

Dr Abd-ElAziem Farouk Gad said early indication of the findings — based on the differences in halal slaughtering according to Syariah , or Islamic laws, and other slaughtering methods such as 'stunning', using electrical current and carbon dioxide — have shown that meat slaughtered according to Syariah laws are "safer" and "better in quality".

More research and trials will be carried out to support these findings, he said.

Through Dr Abd-ElAziem Farouk Gad's findings, 'halal detection kits' can be developed, which the ministry said could "position Brunei Darussalam as one of the major players in the global halal industry".

Using enhanced bio-markers invented by the professor, any trace of DNA can be detected in food available in the market.

A commercial kit will be available in the market before the launching of the Brunei Halal Hub, the ministry added.

The Brunei Times. Hadi DP Mahmud. Friday, March 14, 2008.