SERDANG, 15 July – The Faculty of Human Ecology (FEM), Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), continues to champion student welfare through the FATIRxECO SiswaCare: Meals with Care, Feeding Hope programme, a campus initiative dedicated to providing free meals for students in need while fostering a caring and compassionate university community. The programme, implemented in collaboration with Fatir Cafe, the cafeteria operator at the Faculty of Human Ecology (FEM), and Bid Direct Sdn. Bhd. as its strategic partner, was launched in June 2026 with the aim of providing 100 complete meal sets to undergraduate students from the B40 income group, with priority given to those in the B40 (B1) category. During its initial phase, the programme focused on students from the Faculty of Human Ecology in June before expanding in July to benefit undergraduate students from other UPM faculties. Building on this positive response, the initiative is expected to reach even more students in the coming semester. The initiative was introduced to ensure that students in need have continued access to nutritious meals while supporting their overall well-being and creating a more conducive environment for learning, enabling them to focus fully on their academic pursuits.   As part of the programme's ongoing initiatives, 300 complimentary breakfast packs were distributed to students during the Second Semester Final Examination period (13–26 July 2026). The distributions took place at the Great Hall of the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Arts and Cultural Centre (PKKSAAS), UPM, and the Faculty of Agriculture, UPM, extending the programme's benefits to a wider student community.   Dean of the Faculty of Human Ecology, Professor Mohamad Fazli Sabri, said the programme goes beyond providing free meals by cultivating compassion, volunteerism and social responsibility within the university community. "We hope this initiative will ease the burden of students in need and encourage them to pursue their studies with greater confidence. More importantly, it is inspiring to see students appreciate every contribution they receive while embracing the values of generosity, empathy and mutual support." He added that the programme demonstrates how meaningful collaboration between the university and industry partners can create lasting social impact and contribute to a more caring campus environment. The Faculty also expressed its appreciation to Fatir Cafe and Bid Direct Sdn. Bhd. for its continued commitment and support in making the initiative possible. Subject to continued support from sponsors and strategic partners, the FATIRxECO SiswaCare: Meals with Care, Feeding Hope programme is expected to continue and expand in the coming semester. Through this initiative, UPM reaffirms its commitment to nurturing not only academic excellence but also compassion, inclusivity and student well-being, in line with its aspiration to develop holistic graduates and a sustainable campus community.   News by: Syaakiratul Hasanah binti Rossidi

Date of Input: 16/07/2026 | Updated: 17/07/2026 | adlinnorazam