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UGM is providing free breakfast for its students during semester exams. Several faculties have recently implemented this initiative, including the Faculty of Biology, the Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, the Faculty of Agriculture, and others.
The provision of free breakfast is aimed at supporting the health and nutritional needs of students during exams. It is part of the university’s efforts to create a healthy campus environment for its students.
The Dean of the UGM Faculty of Biology, Professor Budi S. Daryono, revealed that since 2022, his faculty has provided free breakfast for students during mid-term and final exams.
The SAPA PAGI program offers 200 free breakfast portions daily with various menu options. Students can avail themselves of free breakfast during the exam period, including the current final exams from December 4-15, 2023, by showing their exam card or student ID.
Professor Daryono explained that his undergraduate experience inspired the free breakfast initiative. At that time, one of his friends fainted during final exams due to not having breakfast before the exam.
“That’s why we initiated the SAPA PAGI program for all students in the Faculty of Biology, both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, who are taking mid-term or final exams on campus,” he said.
He hopes this breakfast program will boost students’ stamina during exams and increase their motivation and enthusiasm for learning.
Efforts to support student well-being during semester exams are also carried out by the Faculty of Agriculture, which provides free breakfast through a program called Pondasi.
During the current final exams from December 4-19, 2023, 10,000 free breakfast portions are being offered.
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Student Affairs at the UGM Faculty of Agriculture, Dr. Dyah Weny Respatie, explained that her faculty’s free breakfast program is intended to help students focus more on exam preparations without rushing to find or prepare breakfast.
In addition, the Pondasi program aims to cultivate empathy among students.
“We hope through this program, students can develop their empathy by realizing that the portions provided are limited. The expectation is that once they have taken one portion of breakfast, they should refrain from taking more so that others can enjoy one as well,” she explained.
Meanwhile, the Dean of the UGM Faculty of Social and Political Sciences, Dr. Wawan Mas’udi, said that his faculty has provided free breakfast through the Fisipol Free Breakfast program since 2017.
This program aims to support its students’ health during semester exams. Every day during exams, the faculty provides 100-200 free breakfast portions for its students.
The UGM Faculty of Law has also offered free breakfast for students during the semester exam period since the 2018/2019 academic year. However, this activity was temporarily halted during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vice Dean for Academic Affairs, Student Affairs, and Cooperation at the UGM Faculty of Law, Adrianto Dwi Nugroho, mentioned that the free breakfast program intends to provide additional student energy.
With good nutrition available for students, it is hoped that it can prevent students from falling ill due to the hectic preparations before exams. This program also aligns with UGM’s declaration as a Health Promoting University (HPU).
“We hope students can take final exams well and improve their academic achievements,” he said.
Author: Ika