KUANTAN: UCYP University, formerly known as University College of Yayasan Pahang, has teamed up with International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) to introduce a first of its kind programme targeted towards overcoming food insecurity among undergraduates.
The Pahang Food Security(Pafos) pilot project provides eligible students from both universities one free meal a day worth RM5 and creates opportunities for local entrepreneurs to participate as food vendors.
Pahang Public Works, Transport, and Health Committee chairman Datuk Razali Kassim said the initiative by UCYP university and IIUM was aimed at overcoming food insecurity among needy university students and consume meals with the right balance of nutrients.
"The Pahang government had provided funds to IIUM and UCYP university to set up an i-secure application allowing eligible students to eat healthy and focus better during lessons. They can pre-book their meals using the application and redeem their meal coupons by scanning a QR code.
"We will monitor Pafos and maybe expand the pilot projects to other higher learning institutions in Pahang," he told reporters when met at UCYP university's campus in Tanjung Lumpur here today.
Razali had earlier witnessed the memorandum of agreement signing ceremony between UCYP and IIUM to develop Pafos which will monitor the nutritional status of students more efficiently and become an innovation in dealing with food security issues at higher education institutions.
Meanwhile, UCYP university's board of governors chairman Tan Sri Professor Dr Noorul Ainur Mohd Nur said besides providing free meals, Pafos helps to empower food vendors especially those who are less fortunate to earn a living.
"Students can claim the free vouchers through an application and the team from both the universities will be able to monitor the recipients. We have nutritionists advising the food vendors on the suitable types of meals for students.
"Vendors living near the universities are given the opportunity to participate in the project by helping to prepare the meals. It helps the vendors to generate an income," she said, adding that such an initiative was introduced for the first time in the country.
Meanwhile, IIUM's Department of Community Medicine, Assistant Professor Dr Roselawati Mat Ya said i-secure paves the way for a systematic management of food aid to needy students and ensure they do not go hungry while at campus.
To date, a total of 284 undergraduates from both the universities are part of the programme's pilot project.