Bridging informal halal industry experience and formal accreditation: The implementation of accreditation of prior experiential learning (APEL) in Islamic studies within Malaysian higher education institutions

Abstract

The swift growth of the halal industry has generated a need for experts possessing both formal academic credentials and practical experience. Malaysia has established the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) as a system to acknowledge non-formal and informal learning for academic credit and access. This article examines the implementation of APEL in Islamic Studies programs, particularly in halal industry management and Shari’ah-based fields, across Malaysian higher education institutions. This study employs qualitative methods, including policy analysis, document review, and expert interviews, to examine how APEL integrates field experience in halal auditing, certification, logistics, and compliance into its formal curriculum frameworks. It evaluates the difficulties in harmonising experiential learning with Maqasid al-Shari’ah, Usul al-Fiqh, and institutional certification criteria. The findings suggest that although APEL serves as an essential link between industry and academia, its execution must consider epistemological integrity, assessment systems, and curricular alignment. Recommendations are proposed to improve governance, Shari’ah compliance, and strategic implementation of APEL to future-proof Islamic higher education within the global halal economy.