MyCafé – UMP community provides free food for students

By: NOR SALWANA MOHD IDRIS, CORPORATE COMMUNICATION DIVISION

Nine food operators around Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) campus took part in the MyGift Initiative through the UMP MyCafé-Community programme that provided free food to students facing financial difficulties and the needy ones.

The Friends of Community group included Restoran Tunas Budi Sdn. Bhd, Restoran Mak Andak, Warung Cili Padi Serandu, Restoran Mak Ct, Warung Mazarah Abdul Manaf, Madi Uya Enterprise, Kedai Mokna and Warung Rahmat DK.

Certificates of appreciation and food coupons were presented by UMP Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir Ibrahim at UMP Banquet Hall, Pekan Campus on April 11, 2019. 

Also present were Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Student Affairs & Alumni), Professor Dato’ Dr. Yuserrie Zainuddin, Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research & Innovation), Professor Ts. Dr. Kamal Zuhairi Zamli and Pro-Registrar, Abd Rahman Haji Safie.

In his speech, Professor Dato’ Sri Dr. Daing Nasir expressed his gratitude to the food operators for supporting the initiative.

“The programme is an initiative under the university’s MyGift that encourages the public to donate for a good cause.

“The MyCafe programme involves food operators operating nearby the university campus who have agreed to provide assistance to UMP students especially those living out of campus and those facing financial difficulties.

“The university does not have a limit on the volume of the contributions and that it is up to the food operators to make their contribution. Selected students will be given free food at the designated eateries,” he said.

He hoped that the programme would bring mutual benefits for both the food operators and students.

He believed it would give the students some perspective in life when they graduated and for them to always be grateful and prayed for more sustenance be given to the food operators.
  
He added that the initiative had been extended to UMP Gambang Campus and was confident that more food operators in the Gambang area would come forward to participate in the programme.

One of the food operators, Noresah Kamal, 56, or also known as Mak Andak, said she was proud to be part of the programme, adding she had been operating her business for 11 years in Kampung Marhum.

UMP staff and students were among her customers and it was only right to help students who were in need, said Mak Andak who was no stranger to UMP as she had taken part in a series of ‘Kongsi Rezeki’ programmes organised by the university.

Mak Andak said throughout the years in running her business, she knew some students who were cash-strapped.

“I see them like my own children and I hope that my small contribution will help ease their burden,” she added.

One of the students selected for the free food programme was Aslyana Rahman, 22, from Faculty of Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering who was overwhelmed and thankful to be chosen for the initiative.

She thanked the university and the food operators who showed compassion towards students who were in need and these good deeds would be something she would always remember.