UNISSULA Student Food Security and Hunger Support Programme

Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) implements a recurring food-support programme to help reduce the risk of food insecurity among students and members of the university community.

The programme provides direct access to free meals through regular food-distribution activities at Abu Bakar Assegaf Mosque, UNISSULA, and is complemented by additional food support during Ramadan.

This programme is designed as a continuing and coordinated form of support rather than a one-time activity. Its purpose is to ensure that students who may experience difficulties in accessing adequate food can obtain meals without financial cost while remaining engaged in their academic and campus activities.

Weekly Friday Free Meal Programme

One of the main components of UNISSULA’s student food-support programme is the Friday Free Meal Programme (Jumat Berkah) at Abu Bakar Assegaf Mosque.

The programme is conducted every Friday and provides free ready-to-eat meals to:

• UNISSULA students;
• mosque worshippers; and
• members of the surrounding community.

Meals are distributed directly to beneficiaries without charge.

By operating on a recurring weekly basis, the Friday Free Meal Programme provides predictable and repeated access to free food throughout the academic year.

This regular schedule distinguishes the programme from one-time food-distribution activities and establishes it as an ongoing component of UNISSULA’s student welfare and social-support framework.

Direct Food Support for Students

Students are explicitly included among the beneficiaries of the Friday Free Meal Programme.

Providing meals free of charge can support students who experience financial limitations or temporary difficulties in meeting their daily food needs.

By removing the financial cost of a meal, the programme helps improve access to food and supports students in maintaining participation in academic and campus activities.

The programme therefore addresses potential food insecurity through a direct and practical intervention rather than relying solely on awareness or information-based activities.

Ramadan Free Iftar and Suhoor Programme

UNISSULA further strengthens student food support during the month of Ramadan through the provision of free iftar and suhoor meals.

This programme provides meals to students and members of the university community during Ramadan, when food-support needs are concentrated around fasting schedules.

The Ramadan programme complements the regular Friday Free Meal Programme by expanding direct food assistance during a specific period of increased need.

Together, these initiatives provide:

• regular weekly food assistance throughout the year; and
• additional food support during Ramadan.

Continuous and Coordinated Food Support

UNISSULA’s approach to student food security is based on recurring and coordinated support.

The programme combines:

• regular weekly free meals;
• additional Ramadan meal support;
• on-campus food distribution;
• direct access to ready-to-eat meals; and
• institutional and community participation.

This approach allows food assistance to be provided repeatedly rather than only in response to isolated events.

The recurring nature of these activities demonstrates UNISSULA’s continuing commitment to reducing the risk of student hunger and food insecurity.

Programme Location and Accessibility

The Friday Free Meal Programme is implemented at Abu Bakar Assegaf Mosque, UNISSULA, located within the university environment.

The on-campus location makes the programme accessible to students during their academic and campus activities.

Students do not need to travel outside the university to access the support, making the programme practical, visible, and easy to reach.

Supporting Students at Risk of Food Insecurity

Food insecurity may occur when students do not have reliable access to sufficient and affordable food.

UNISSULA’s food-support programme helps reduce this risk by providing meals free of charge.

The programme is particularly relevant for students who may experience:

• financial limitations;
• temporary economic difficulties;
• limited access to affordable meals; or
• other circumstances affecting their ability to obtain food consistently.

By providing food directly and repeatedly, UNISSULA offers a practical support mechanism that can help students maintain access to meals during their studies.

Student Welfare and Social Responsibility

The food-support programme forms part of UNISSULA’s broader commitment to student welfare, social responsibility, and community support.

UNISSULA recognises that student success depends not only on academic services but also on access to basic needs that support well-being and continued participation in university life.

Through recurring food assistance, UNISSULA supports:

• student well-being;
• access to basic food needs;
• inclusive campus participation;
• social solidarity; and
• a supportive university environment.

Programme Continuity in 2025

The Student Food Security and Hunger Support Programme continued during the 2025 reporting period.

In 2025, UNISSULA maintained:

1. the Weekly Friday Free Meal Programme (Jumat Berkah) at Abu Bakar Assegaf Mosque; and
2. the Ramadan Free Iftar and Suhoor Programme.

The continuation of these initiatives demonstrates that student food support is maintained as an ongoing programme rather than being implemented only as an occasional or one-time activity.

Institutional Commitment to Student Food Security

UNISSULA recognises access to food as an important element of student welfare and study continuity.

By providing recurring free meals on campus and expanding food assistance during Ramadan, the university establishes a direct support mechanism for students and other members of the university community who may experience difficulties in accessing adequate food.

This approach strengthens UNISSULA’s broader student-support system by addressing an essential daily need through practical and recurring assistance.

Evidence of Implementation

UNISSULA’s Student Food Security and Hunger Support Programme is demonstrated through the following institutional evidence:

1. A recurring free-meal programme conducted every Friday.
2. UNISSULA students are explicitly included among the programme beneficiaries.
3. Ready-to-eat meals are provided free of charge.
4. The programme is implemented on campus at Abu Bakar Assegaf Mosque, UNISSULA.
5. The programme continued throughout the 2025 reporting period.
6. Additional free iftar and suhoor meals are provided during Ramadan.
7. Food assistance is provided directly to beneficiaries rather than limited to food-related information or awareness activities.
8. The programme operates repeatedly and forms part of UNISSULA’s broader student welfare and social-support framework.