2.3.4 Healthy and affordable food choices
UTM perkenal Menu Siswa Rahmah berharga RM5
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) has officially launched the "Menu Siswa Rahmah" programme. This university-wide programme is a concrete effort to help students, particularly those from low-income (B40) backgrounds, manage the rising cost of living while providing them with nutritious meal options.
The programme directly fulfills both components of the metric:
- Affordable Choices: The initiative provides meals at a fixed, subsidized price of RM5. This measure is specifically designed to "lighten the financial burden" (meringankan beban perbelanjaan) of students, making daily meals financially accessible.
- Healthy Choices: The "Menu Siswa Rahmah" is not just affordable; it is explicitly required to be a "balanced meal" (menu seimbang). This ensures that students have access to food that is not only low-cost but also nutritious, directly supporting their health and well-being.
This programme is a widespread, formal university policy, not an isolated event. As of its launch, 14 campus cafes are participating in the initiative. The university has committed significant resources to its long-term success, including an initial allocation of RM90,000 for the first six months to subsidize the cost of rice for vendors, with further fundraising planned to ensure the programme's continuity.
Access to the menu is integrated into the university's official systems via the "UTM Smart" application, where eligible students can access the menu by scanning a QR code, demonstrating a systemic approach to providing healthy and affordable food for all on campus.
Source :
https://www.astroawani.com/berita-malaysia/utm-perkenal-menu-siswa-rahmah-berharga-rm5-540774
all food outlets
UTM Sambut Baik Inisiatif Kerajaan Laksana Menu Rahmah
Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) proudly endorses and implements the government's Menu Rahmah initiative, a transformative program designed to ensure equitable access to nutritious meals for students and staff, particularly those from the B40 income group. Launched across campus cafes on February 12, 2025, this initiative exemplifies UTM's dedication to fostering sustainability in food systems by integrating affordability, nutritional balance, and inclusivity into everyday campus life.
The Menu Rahmah program introduces curated meal sets priced at just RM5.00, featuring a diverse array of dishes such as Nasi Tomato, Nasi Arab, Nasi Minyak, Nasi Ayam, and Nasi Hujan Panas. Each set thoughtfully incorporates essential proteins like chicken or fish, alongside generous portions of vegetables, ensuring meals meet basic nutritional requirements while offering rotational variety to prevent monotony and promote balanced diets. Implemented at key outlets including Kafe Warisan and Kafe Seth & Madihah Nasi Arab within the Arked Cengal precinct, the program extends to all food outlets on campus, guaranteeing that no student or staff member is excluded from these benefits. This holistic rollout, supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, UTM's Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs and Development office, and the UTM Student Representative Council (MPP UTM), addresses financial barriers head-on, alleviating the economic pressures faced by approximately 4,000 beneficiaries in its inaugural month alone.
The immediate impact has been profound: students have enthusiastically queued as early as 10 a.m., signaling strong demand and acceptance. As articulated by Prof. Dr. Shamsul Sahibuddin, UTM’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Student Affairs, “This effort indirectly provides more attractive choices to students with limited means.” Certificates of appreciation presented to participating cafe operators underscore the collaborative spirit driving this success, reinforcing accountability and continuous improvement.
By embedding Menu Rahmah into campus operations, UTM not only enhances food security but also cultivates a culture of wellness and equity. This initiative reduces reliance on less nutritious, costlier alternatives, empowers B40 students to thrive academically without nutritional deficits, and sets a replicable model for higher education institutions nationwide. Ultimately, UTM's commitment transforms campus dining from a mere necessity into a pillar of sustainable impact—where every RM5 meal nourishes bodies, budgets, and brighter futures for all.
Source : https://news.utm.my/2023/02/utm-sambut-baik-inisiatif-kerajaan-laksana-menu-rahmah/
