Kelana Jaya, Malaysia – 29 April 2025
UniVRse Interactive Sdn. Bhd., in strategic collaboration with Halal Development Corporation Berhad (HDC) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), proudly organised HIPVERSE 2025, Malaysia’s first-ever Virtual Halal Metaverse Expo on 28 April 2025. This pioneering virtual event was hosted on metaverse platform and involved 5,000 participants from across Malaysia.
The event was hosted entirely in a 3D virtual environment, providing an interactive platform for halal entrepreneurs, SMEs, industry professionals, students, and the general public to engage with each other in real time. HIPVERSE featured over 60 virtual exhibitors, and a full day of insightful sessions addressing key themes such as halal training, sourcing innovation, entrepreneurship, and halal integrity. Participants had the opportunity to explore the expo floor, interact directly with brand representatives, and attend high-impact talks without the constraints of physical presence, effectively bridging accessibility gaps for entrepreneurs especially in the rural and underserved areas.
The programme highlighted thought leadership from across the halal economy and academic landscape, with distinguished speakers including Muhamad Noridham Nordin, Acting Head of the Halal Training Institute (HDC); Mohd Hanis Izdihar Zakaria, Manager of the Halal Integrated Platform (HDC); Dr. Azrin Ali, Head of
Technology Licensing & Technology Development BITCOM (UiTM); and Dr. Siti Aimi Sarah Zainal Abidin, Head of Laboratory Services and Supply Chain, MITRANS (UiTM). The content delivered was both strategic and practical, touching on capacity building, product traceability, innovation adoption, and future-facing career development in the halal sector.
Malaysian halal brands lent strong support to the event, affirming the confidence of industry players in embracing Metaverse as viable trade enablers. HIPVERSE 2025 also served to align closely with the Halal Industry Master Plan 2030 (HIMP 2030), by fostering inclusive digital participation, enhancing competitiveness, and strengthening global market access for local halal enterprises.
Encik Hairol Ariffein Sahari, Chief Executive Officer of HDC, stressed the importance of HIPVERSE as a strategic vehicle for digital inclusivity, stating, “HIPVERSE is a bold step toward making the halal industry more inclusive, accessible, and globally competitive. This initiative not only bridges the digital divide but also unlocks opportunities for entrepreneurs to scale beyond borders, regardless of where they operate. We encourage science, technology, and innovation (STI) in our collaborations that can help us elevate the halal economy to greater heights in the future.”
“Leveraging our AI-driven metaverse platform, UniVRse, in collaboration with HDC and UiTM, we proudly launched HIPVERSE—a next-gen halal digital marketplace. Beyond empowering halal entrepreneurs, HIPVERSE paves the way for aspiring students to engage with the global halal economy. It serves as a vibrant hub where bright minds come together to connect, learn, network, and spark the future of halal innovation.” said Mr. Mohd Hezri Bin Amir, CEO of UniVRse Interactive.
The success of HIPVERSE 2025 represents a significant milestone towards future-proof the halal economy through innovation and technology. Its success shows Malaysia’s readiness to lead the way in integrating digital transformation into halal trade and commerce. This initiative was also supported by the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), whose role in championing national-level digital adoption continues to be pivotal. MDEC’s support further reinforces the strategic importance of incorporating emerging technologies, such as the metaverse, in advancing Malaysia’s digital economy.
We extend our sincere appreciation to all participating organisations, speakers, attendees, and supporting partners who contributed to the success of HIPVERSE 2025. For more information, event recaps, and updates on upcoming programmes, please visit https://univrse.io/hipverse or https://hip.hdcglobal.com.