Halal Centers in Islamic Higher Education as Intermediaries in Indonesia’s Halal Ecosystem

A Triple Helix Perspective

Abstract

Indonesia’s transition from voluntary to mandatory halal certification has created a critical gap between policy targets and implementation capacity, particularly among micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs). This study analyzes the role of Halal Centers across five State Islamic Higher Education Institutions (PTKIN) within the halal product guarantee ecosystem. Employing an exploratory multiple-case study design, this research thematic-analyzes data from semi-structured interviews and institutional documents by integrating the Triple Helix and engaged university frameworks. The analysis encompasses the universities' relational dynamics with the government and MSMEs, as well as the execution of the higher education triad (Tri Dharma). The findings reveal that Halal Centers serve as institutional boundary spanners bridging state regulatory mandates, MSME operational needs, and university academic capacities. However, the relational dynamic with the government exhibits an asymmetric configuration: the state retains control over the regulatory framework and institutional arrangements, while universities exercise agency primarily within local partnerships and program execution. Institutional engagement is most pronounced in human resource development, public outreach, and MSME mentoring, whereas evidence regarding the enhancement of research and laboratory capacities remains limited. Furthermore, constraints in measurable outputs and feedback mechanisms to regulators indicate that this boundary-spanning role has yet to fully evolve into a reciprocal institutional relationship. Ultimately, this study demonstrates that university engagement within a mandatory halal certification framework operates through asymmetric collaboration, wherein universities act simultaneously as policy enforcers and intermediaries between the state and the public.

Peralihan Indonesia dari sertifikasi halal sukarela ke wajib menimbulkan kesenjangan antara target kebijakan dan kapasitas implementasi, terutama di kalangan usaha mikro, kecil, dan menengah (UMKM). Penelitian ini menganalisis peran Halal Center pada lima perguruan tinggi keagamaan Islam negeri (PTKIN) dalam ekosistem jaminan produk halal. Menggunakan desain studi kasus ganda eksploratif, penelitian ini menganalisis data dari wawancara dan dokumen kelembagaan secara tematik dengan mengintegrasikan perspektif Triple Helix dan engaged university. Analisis mencakup relasi universitas dengan pemerintah dan UMKM serta pelaksanaan tridarma perguruan tinggi. Temuan menunjukkan bahwa Halal Center berfungsi sebagai perantara kelembagaan yang menghubungkan mandat regulatif negara dengan kebutuhan UMKM dan kapasitas akademik universitas. Relasi dengan pemerintah memperlihatkan konfigurasi asimetris: negara mengendalikan kerangka regulasi dan pengaturan kelembagaan, sementara universitas memiliki ruang inisiatif terutama dalam kemitraan lokal dan pelaksanaan program. Keterlibatan Halal Center paling nyata terlihat dalam pengembangan sumber daya manusia, sosialisasi, dan pendampingan UMKM, sedangkan bukti mengenai penguatan fungsi penelitian dan laboratorium relatif terbatas. Selain itu, keterbatasan luaran terukur dan mekanisme umpan balik kepada regulator menunjukkan bahwa fungsi perantara tersebut belum sepenuhnya berkembang menjadi hubungan kelembagaan yang timbal balik. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa keterlibatan universitas dalam ekosistem wajib sertifikasi halal berlangsung melalui kolaborasi asimetris, dengan universitas berperan sebagai pelaksana sekaligus penghubung kebijakan negara dengan masyarakat.