STUDENT WELFARE CONTINUOUSLY SUPPORTED THROUGH MULTI-STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION

NIBONG TEBAL, April 16, 2026 - Student leadership views student welfare as a key aspect that must continue to be prioritised through sustained collaboration among various parties, including the government, higher education institutions, and student representatives.

In the current challenging economic climate, the rising cost of living has a direct impact on students, particularly in terms of daily expenditures.

Issues such as rising food prices, fuel costs, and other necessities are among the challenges frequently raised by students on campus.

In this regard, various initiatives implemented by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) have received positive responses from student leadership, particularly ongoing efforts to ensure that student welfare continues to be safeguarded.

Among the impactful initiatives are the implementation of the Dapur Siswa and Food Bank Siswa programmes to assist students facing financial constraints.

At the institutional level, Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) has also introduced various supportive measures in line with the government’s welfare aspirations.

The implementation of the Dapur Siswa and Food Bank programmes at USM reflects the university’s commitment to always prioritising student well-being.

The Dapur Siswa programme provides access to affordable meals, while the Food Bank serves as a support network to help students obtain essential food supplies, thereby reducing financial pressure among students.

President of the Student Representative Council (MPP), Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus, Muhammad Nuraiman Mohd Yusrino, said that student welfare must continuously be given priority by all stakeholders.

According to him, student leadership plays an important role in supporting the implementation of welfare initiatives at campus level, while ensuring that the benefits of programmes such as Dapur Siswa and Food Bank are comprehensively delivered to students who truly need them.

“Student leadership also serves as a bridge between students and the university administration in channeling feedback and real issues faced by students, so that more effective actions can be taken,” he said.

Meanwhile, students, particularly final-year students, also face challenges in balancing academic demands with the rising cost of living.

Academic workloads, final projects, and academic requirements require a conducive campus environment.

In this context, welfare initiatives such as Dapur Siswa and Food Bank not only assist in terms of basic needs but also provide emotional support for students to remain focused on their studies.

Overall, student welfare continues to be supported through collaboration among various parties. Student leadership views student welfare as a long-term national investment, in line with the role of students as future leaders.

Text and Photos: Courtesy of Student Representative Council, Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Engineering Campus USM