Translation by : Siti Nur`Ain Feisal

Editor             : Nik Hafzaini Nik Hassan

SERDANG – Alumni Relations Centre UPM (ARCUPM) in collaboration with Binaree Café has agreed to give selected students free meals throughout the 2022/2023 session. 

A total of 10 students from the B40 and asnaf families were given free meals either for breakfast or lunch. This initiative was taken by Binaree Café as one of their contributions to UPM which has provided a site for the café.

According to the owner of Binaree Café, Asree Abdol Raop, this is their first step to collaborate with ARCUPM and UPM to aid underprivileged students. At least, students no longer have to worry about the cost of buying food for the two important meals in a day.

“It has been almost seven years Binaree Café runs its business within UPM Sports Academy premises, thus we are called to contribute back to UPM. Through a conversation with the Deputy Director ARCUPM, Fahmi Azar Mistar on what can be contributed to UPM, hence, the idea to assist the underprivileged students. Free Meal@Binaree Café was carried out. It may not be much, but we are pleased to contribute to UPM,” Siti Rahmah Ahmad who manages the café.    

The Director of ARCUPM, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Arba’ie Sujud was also present at the meeting session between the free meal recipients and Binaree Café. He also welcomes any form of contribution to be given to the student in need. This collaboration signifies students’ welfare is UPM community priority.   

“We at ARCUPM always welcome anyone who would like to contribute as I am confident and believe that this collaboration signified the slogan ‘Daripada Alumni kepada UPM’ has been instilled. This effort also signifies that the UPM community is concerned about students’ welfare so that they can study comfortably and eventually graduate thus returning to contribute to alma mater.” He said.  

For Khairun Nasitah, as one of the free meal programme recipients, this programme is very considerate and the recipients appreciate it deeply to Binaree Café and ARCUPM.

“It’s a relief for us who are less fortunate. With this programme opens throughout the semester, we are relieved about the cost of food as Binaree Café has prepared free meal for us. Thank you Binaree Café and ARCUPM for their contributions to the students in need,” she said.

Each contribution channelled through scholarship funding, device aid and free meals for student, demonstrates robust collaboration between alumni and the university.    

Date of Input: 06/01/2023 | Updated: 16/03/2023 | suziana.wil