Direct Food Support for Students at UNISSULA

Universitas Islam Sultan Agung (UNISSULA) provides direct food-support interventions to help prevent and alleviate hunger among students.

The university implements practical food-assistance activities through recurring free-meal distribution, Ramadan food support, food packages, and student welfare initiatives. These interventions are intended to help students experiencing economic difficulties or limited access to food obtain meals and continue their academic activities without basic food needs becoming a barrier.

UNISSULA’s student hunger interventions involve collaboration among university units, campus mosque management, student organisations, social institutions, volunteers, and members of the university community.

Friday Free Meal Intervention

One of UNISSULA’s main direct food interventions is the Friday Free Meal Programme (Jumat Berkah) conducted at Abu Bakar Assegaf Mosque, UNISSULA.

The programme distributes ready-to-eat meals free of charge and explicitly includes UNISSULA students among its beneficiaries.

The intervention provides:

• free ready-to-eat meals;
• direct on-campus access to food;
• recurring distribution every Friday;
• support for students who may face financial or food-access difficulties; and
• an easily accessible food-support point within the university environment.

Because meals are provided directly and free of charge, the programme represents a practical intervention to help reduce the risk of hunger among students.

Direct Assistance for Students in Need

UNISSULA also provides food assistance and social support for students experiencing economic challenges or difficulties in meeting basic daily needs.

Student hunger interventions include:

• distribution of food assistance for students in need;
• food-sharing activities;
• student welfare support through university social institutions; and
• assistance for economically disadvantaged students.

These interventions help students maintain access to food while continuing their education and participating in university activities.

Ramadan Free Iftar and Suhoor Intervention

During Ramadan, UNISSULA strengthens its student food-support interventions through the provision of free iftar and suhoor meals.

This programme provides direct food assistance at times when students require access to meals around fasting schedules.

Ramadan food-support activities include:

• distribution of free iftar meals;
• provision of food packages;
• free suhoor support;
• direct food distribution to students; and
• collaboration among university units, campus mosques, student organisations, volunteers, and social institutions.

These activities complement the regular Friday Free Meal Programme by increasing direct food support during Ramadan.

Practical and Direct Hunger Intervention

UNISSULA’s approach prioritises direct food provision rather than relying solely on food-related awareness, education, or information.

Students can receive actual meals and food assistance through:

• weekly free-meal distribution;
• Ramadan iftar and suhoor programmes;
• food packages;
• direct student food assistance;
• basic-needs support; and
• social welfare assistance.

This practical approach helps reduce the immediate effects of food insecurity among students who may otherwise have difficulty obtaining sufficient food.

LAZIS UNISSULA and Student Welfare Support

LAZIS UNISSULA contributes to student welfare through social-assistance programmes supported by zakat, infaq, sadaqah, and other charitable resources.

Its support includes:

• assistance for economically disadvantaged students;
• basic-needs support;
• social and humanitarian assistance; and
• welfare support for vulnerable beneficiaries.

These forms of assistance complement direct food-distribution programmes by supporting students whose financial circumstances may affect their ability to meet basic daily needs, including access to food.

On-Campus Accessibility

UNISSULA’s student hunger interventions are implemented within the university environment.

The Friday Free Meal Programme at Abu Bakar Assegaf Mosque provides a visible and accessible location where students can obtain food while participating in academic and campus activities.

On-campus provision reduces barriers to accessing assistance because students do not need to travel outside the university to receive food support.

Student Participation and Community Support

Students participate not only as beneficiaries but also as contributors to UNISSULA’s food-support and social-welfare initiatives.

Student participation may include:

• volunteering in food-distribution activities;
• organising food-support programmes;
• supporting Ramadan activities;
• assisting university social institutions; and
• participating in community-service and welfare initiatives.

This participation strengthens social solidarity within the university and helps sustain recurring food-support activities.

Intervention Continuity in 2025

During the 2025 reporting period, UNISSULA continued to provide direct student hunger interventions through:

1. the Weekly Friday Free Meal Programme at Abu Bakar Assegaf Mosque;
2. free Ramadan iftar and suhoor support;
3. food packages and direct food assistance;
4. student welfare and basic-needs assistance; and
5. support for economically disadvantaged students.

These interventions provide direct and practical assistance aimed at preventing or alleviating student hunger.

Institutional Commitment to Hunger Intervention

UNISSULA recognises that students’ ability to participate successfully in higher education can be affected when basic food needs are not adequately met.

For this reason, the university combines recurring food distribution, seasonal Ramadan support, social assistance, and student welfare mechanisms to provide direct support to students who may experience food insecurity or economic hardship.

This approach strengthens UNISSULA’s wider student-support framework by ensuring that hunger is addressed through practical interventions that provide food and basic-needs assistance directly to beneficiaries.

Evidence of Implementation

UNISSULA’s student hunger interventions are demonstrated through the following institutional evidence:

1. Recurring Friday free-meal distribution for students.
2. Free ready-to-eat meals provided directly on campus.
3. Free iftar and suhoor meals during Ramadan.
4. Food packages provided during Ramadan and related food-support activities.
5. Direct food assistance for students in need.
6. Basic-needs support for economically disadvantaged students.
7. Student welfare assistance through university social institutions, including LAZIS UNISSULA.
8. Participation of student organisations and volunteers in food-support and social-welfare activities.