PENANG, 5 January 2016 - Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has always been mindful on issues concerning the students’ welfare.

The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Students’ Affairs Development and Alumni – HEPA) USM for instance had recently met with USM Foundation (Yayasan USM), the Islamic Centre (Pusat Islam), Healthy Campus (Kampus Sejahtera) and the USM Student Representatives Council (MPPUSM) and agreeing on the plan to distribute food items to 100 students beginning January 6.

According to the USM Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato' Dr. Omar Osman, the MPPUSM and the Hostel Residents Council (Majlis Penghuni Desasiswa/MPD) have set a mechanism to identify students belonging to the B40 group, and for the food items to be distributed to them at the respective hostels.

"Up till now, USM has not received any report on students who could not afford to buy their own meals, although we do have a number of initiatives to provide food to those who could not afford to do so," said Omar.

He explained that, beginning from this semester the MPPUSM has started a programme called Kami Prihatin (Kampri) whereby the MPP members would distribute 50 food packs (rice and side dish) to students belonging to the bottom-billion group who have been identified through financial support from external companies.

"For the past 3 months, Masjid Al-Malek Khalid USM has provided the bubur lambuk (broth) to approximately 200 members from the congregation. This initiative was supported by the staff from the School of Educational Studies, and handed out after the Friday prayers," he added further.

Beginning January 6th until the end of the examination week, USM Foundation with the cooperation from BHEPA, MPP, MPD and the Healthy Campus Secretariat would prepare 100 food packs for dinner, to be distributed to students whom the MPP and MPD have identified.

"The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (HEPA) has also requested for a similar initiative to be implemented at the Engineering Campus in Nibong Tebal and the Health Campus in Kelantan," said Omar further.

Translation: Mazlan Hanafi Basharudin

Text: Mohamad Abdullah