KUANTAN: Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) has introduced its in-campus retort food, or pre-packed meals, to ensure no student goes hungry.
Newly-appointed vice-chancellor Professor Dr Yatimah Alias said the ready-to-eat UMPSA 'express meals' will benefit B40 students from various fields and off-campus students, especially during disasters such as floods.
"The production of retort food for long-term storage is an initiative under the food@campus programme by UMPSA's campus pantry, in cooperation with the UMPSA Foundation, to support needy students.
"Aiming for 'zero hunger' among students, the initiative is part of the campus' emergency preparedness, ensuring students have access to healthy and ready-to-eat meals.
"About 38,000 packets of UMPSA 'express meals' featuring various menus will be prepared this year for students at both the Pekan and Gambang campuses," she said after sampling the retort food menus at the student hostel on the Gambang campus here.
Yatimah said the menu items prepared using retort technology include fried rice, chicken paprik, and chicken and beef rendang.
Students can obtain the retort meals by applying online through the student E-Community application.
They will receive e-coupons via the ADAB@UMP mobile application, which can be redeemed at the campus pantry on both the Gambang and Pekan campuses.
Meanwhile, during her visit to the Gambang campus in Kuantan, Yatimah also inspected the facilities at the student hostel and the Menu Siswa Rahmah programme.
She launched the 'Dapur Siswa' (Undergraduate Kitchen), which is equipped with cooking facilities for students to prepare their own meals.
Located near the student hostel, the facility also features a centralised laundry, a women-only gymnasium, a student lounge, and a premium cafeteria.