Yogyakarta, October 21, 2025 — In an effort to strengthen students’ understanding of the application of Islamic economics in the real sector, the Master’s Program in Islamic Economics (MES) at UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta conducted an academic visit to Sweet Sundae Dairy Indonesia on Tuesday (October 21, 2025). The activity, led by Dr. Siti Nur Azizah, S.E.I., M.E.I., involved eleven students and formed part of a contextual learning approach aimed at linking Islamic economic theory with halal business practices in the field.

Dr. Siti Nur Azizah emphasized that, within Islamic economics, theoretical understanding alone is insufficient. Students, she noted, must also directly observe how sharia values are implemented in modern business operations. Sweet Sundae Dairy Indonesia was highlighted as a concrete example of how the principles of halalan thayyiban can be developed into a competitive and successful business model.

The delegation was welcomed by Yuki Rahmayanti, Co-founder of Sweet Sundae Dairy Indonesia, who explained that halal principles within the company extend beyond formal certification and reflect integrity and honesty throughout the entire production process. She stressed that the company’s commitment to halal practices is grounded in safeguarding product purity from farmers to consumers.

During the visit, students were given the opportunity to observe firsthand the production and packaging processes, which are carried out under strict hygiene standards and rigorous quality control. The session was highly interactive, with students actively engaging in discussions, posing critical questions, and demonstrating strong enthusiasm for understanding halal industry practices. This interaction enriched participants’ insights into the practical application of halalan thayyiban principles within modern food production systems.

The activity continued with an open discussion highlighting key aspects of the halal industry, including supply chain supervision, innovation in local raw materials, and the implementation of ethical business practices based on honesty and accountability. The discussion proceeded dynamically and productively, and concluded with an informal gathering while enjoying Sweet Sundae Dairy’s signature ice cream products. Conversations covered a range of issues, such as challenges in maintaining halal integrity within global supply chains, strategies for building consumer trust, and future innovations in halal products.

One student participant shared a reflective impression of the visit, noting that the experience provided valuable insights into how halalan thayyiban values are genuinely implemented in the industrial context. The visit, according to the participant, demonstrated that Islamic economics is not merely theoretical, but serves as a practical guideline for building businesses that are both ethical and sustainable.

Sweet Sundae Dairy Indonesia is a leading micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) based in Yogyakarta that has become a supplier of dairy products for the national Free Nutritious Meal program and has successfully entered export markets. This achievement illustrates that the principles of Islamic economics can operate in harmony with innovation, efficiency, and global competitiveness.

The visit concluded with a networking session and product tasting. Both academic representatives and industry practitioners expressed hope that such collaborations could be further developed as a form of synergy between higher education institutions and the halal industry, contributing to the strengthening of Indonesia’s Islamic economic ecosystem.