On April 21, 2025, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) and The University of Osaka ASEAN Campus co-hosted the International Seminar on Cultured Meat. This hybrid event took place at The University of Osaka ASEAN Campus Office in the Toray Building and attracted over 150 participants from various countries within the Asia-Pacific region.

International Seminar on Cultured Meat

The seminar, titled “Cultured Meat as a Future Food: Paving the Way Towards a Sustainable Future,” aimed to explore cultivated meat as a potential solution that aligns with sustainability, food security, and religious compliance. This initiative occurred under the framework of The University of Osaka ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum, which focuses on Halal Innovation.

The seminar was organized by the School of Industrial Technology, with support from the School of Materials and Mineral Resources Engineering and the Research Creativity and Management Office (RCMO). It highlighted USM’s commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration aimed at advancing research and innovation in the field of cultured meat.

Opening Remarks

Welcoming remarks were delivered by Professor Dr. Quamrul Hasan, Vice-Chair of The University of Osaka ASEAN Campus SDGs Co-Creation Forum, who emphasized the strong academic ties between Malaysia and Japan, as well as the importance of collaborative discussions in shaping future food systems.

Featured Talks

The half-day program featured five invited talks from experts in various fields related to cultured meat:

1. Prof. Dr. Michiya Matsusaki (The University of Osaka): Focused on advancing cultivated Wagyu meat production through 3D bioprinting and tissue engineering.
2. Mr. Jason Ng Chin Aik (Cell AgriTech Sdn. Bhd.): Discussed commercial innovation in cultured meat and provided industry insights.
3. Dr. Mohammad Naqib Hamdan (Universiti Teknologi Malaysia): Addressed cultured meat from an Islamic perspective.
4. Dr. Rufaihah Abdul Jalil (Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore): Explored technical and social challenges surrounding halal cultivated meat in the future of alternative protein.
5. Dr. Dean Powell & Mr. Ankur Chaudhary (The Good Food Institute APAC): Analyzed the regulatory landscape for cultured meat in the Asia-Pacific region, highlighting challenges and opportunities.

Moderated Discussions

Moderated by Dr. Mohamad Hafizi Abu Bakar, co-chairperson of the seminar and head of the USM Cultured Meat Research Group, discussions covered themes such as innovation in cultured meat, Islamic jurisprudence, commercial readiness, and regulatory preparedness.

Closing Remarks

During the closing remarks, Professor Dr. Zainovia Lockman, Director of RCMO, underscored the importance of Halal assurance, ethical stewardship, and inclusive policy for establishing sustainable food systems. She emphasized the need for science and cultural values to progress in tandem within the realm of food innovation.

Ongoing Initiatives

The seminar also outlined ongoing initiatives, including Malaysia’s National Cultured Meat Feasibility Study, which is supported by the Ministry of Economy High Impact Short-Term Grant and involves collaboration among researchers from several universities and industry partners.

Facility Visit and Collaborative Discussions

Later that afternoon, a facility site visit and collaborative roundtable discussion were held at Cell AgriTech Sdn. Bhd. in Seberang Jaya, Penang, aimed at exploring further industry-academia partnerships. The hybrid format of the event enabled participation from a wide array of regions, such as Malaysia, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Southeast Asia, involving stakeholders from universities, food-tech startups, Halal certification bodies, and regulatory agencies.

(Source: USM News)