2.3.5 Staff hunger interventions
UTM ambil langkah proaktif jalankan aktiviti kebajikan sepanjang Ramadan 2023
In steadfast alignment with the mandate to provide interventions to prevent or alleviate hunger among members of staff (e.g., including supply and access to food banks/pantries), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) demonstrates unwavering leadership through its Anjung Kasih program and year-round Asnaf Assistance initiative. These targeted efforts, rooted in the university's proactive welfare framework during Ramadan 2023 and beyond, ensure that staff facing financial constraints or limited means have reliable access to essential sustenance, fostering a supportive environment where no colleague endures hunger in isolation.
Launched on March 2, 2023, by UTM Registrar Nor Azizah Ismail during the Registrar Appreciation Ceremony, Anjung Kasih operates as a dedicated food pantry at Anjung Wawasan in the Sultan Ibrahim Chancellery Building. This accessible cupboard—conveniently located next to the elevator—stocks vital staples including rice, cooking oil, sugar, flour, canned foods, and beverages, available from March 30 onward. Developed in collaboration with UTM associations, the program directly addresses staff vulnerabilities by offering discreet, no-questions-asked access to these necessities, empowering employees to maintain nutritional balance amid economic pressures. Complementing this, the UTM Islamic Centre's Asnaf Assistance program, funded by the university's zakat reserves, extends comprehensive support throughout the year—not confined to Ramadan. Weekly approval meetings meticulously review applications to guarantee equitable distribution, preventing errors and maximizing impact for staff in need.
Further amplifying these interventions, the Islamic Centre's daily Iftar for 1000 program during Ramadan 2023 provided nourishing meal trays—complete with ample side dishes and zero waste—to 1000 participants, including staff, prepared by 150 dedicated volunteers from the UTM community. The Ramadan Fund, inaugurated by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Datuk Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Fauzi Ismail, sustains such efforts alongside the Endowment Unit's Raya Biscuit Sale, channeling proceeds into aid for staff and students. Culminating in Aidilfitri support, RM25,000 was allocated for 100 recipients (RM250 each), delivered as cash and essentials before the 2023 celebrations, easing festive burdens and promoting dignity.
These initiatives collectively transcend mere provision; they embody UTM's ethos of communal solidarity, reducing food insecurity for staff by an estimated reach of hundreds annually. By integrating pantries, funds, and volunteer-driven meals, UTM not only alleviates immediate hunger but also builds resilience, enabling staff to focus on innovation and excellence. This model of inclusive, sustainable intervention sets a benchmark for higher education, proving that proactive welfare transforms challenges into opportunities for collective thriving—where every staple stocked and every meal shared fortifies a hunger-free, equitable campus for all.
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