Higher Education Ministry extends free rice initiative in Rahmah Student Menu

KOTA KINABALU - The Higher Education Ministry has agreed to extend the initiative implemented at the Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Kota Kinabalu branch in preparing free rice for students in the Rahmah Student Menu.

Higher Education deputy minister Datuk Mohammad Yusof Apdal said the initiative was implemented by the university’s student affairs (SA) kitchen.

“We saw a difference compared to other rahmah student menus in other public universities where the rice was prepared for free by the university through their SA kitchen for students here.

“Students here would take the side dishes making it a bit special here in Kota Kinabalu UiTM with its low prices and the interesting manner on how food is prepared.

“That is why the chairman stated we should extend this menu and we on the ministry’s side agreed to extend it by providing this menu for all public universities in Sarawak and the Peninsular,” he told reporters after conducting a survey of the Rahmah Student Menu and the Madani Iftar With Students in Kota Kinabalu UiTM branch Mabul Cafe, here on Saturday.

He said the initiative was to reduce the burden on students especially those in the B40 group.

“We want to limit it to the B40 group, but UiTM had also prepared it for those who are in need.

“We will continue it as long as it is needed and we will improve it if necessary,” he said.

Kota Kinabalu UiTM branch student Nur Diana Azwa Dullah, 21, said the preparation of food with the rahmah menu concept was helpful for students in the university especially those among the B40 families.

“From a pricing standpoint it was different as usually a plate consisting of food with a side dish and vegetables reaching RM10 or higher. However, the rahmah menu would bring a plate of rice, vegetables and a side dish starting from RM3.50 which is very reasonable and of good quality.

“With prices like this I can save RM7 a day and the money I saved can be used on other needs such as studying materials and such,” she said.

The Rahmah Student Menu was the Higher Education Ministry’s initiative to reduce the burden of students in higher education institutions.

The ministry with the cooperation of public universities’ management, cafeteria operators, kiosks, stalls or food service providers introduced dishes involving breakfast, lunch and dinner at a reasonable price of RM3.50 per serving.

The SA kitchen initiative is the result of data and background information of Sabah UiTM branch students of which almost 70 per cent of students were from the B40 group.

The SA Division, Student Residency and Hospitality Unit and College Staff Residents in the Sabah UiTM Branch have met at the end of 2021 to discuss the methods to help students who were less fortunate especially in easing living expenses while on campus.