Addressing staff hunger is essential to ensuring the well-being and productivity of employees, particularly in academic settings where nutrition directly affects performance and health. At UGM, staff support is provided through specific policies which have been outlined in Rector Regulations Number 9 Year 2023. These regulations ensure that staff receive daily meal allowances of IDR 37,000, as well as food support worth IDR 120,000 per month for staple items such as rice, as stated in University’s Policy on General Financial Standard 2024 number 2. These initiatives aim to meet the basic nutritional needs of staff, enabling them to maintain their health and stay productive in their roles.
At UGM, these regulatory measures are complemented by practical interventions designed to further enhance staff nutrition and health. One such initiative was held at the Faculty of Pharmacy on November 27, 2023, with an event called SENSASI (Senam, Sarapan, Silaturahmi/Exercise, Breakfast, Social Gathering). This event featured joint exercise sessions, free health check-ups, and a communal breakfast. The activities were organized to promote physical well-being while also fostering social interaction among faculty members from various departments, including the Faculty of Pharmacy, the Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, and the Faculty of Dentistry. The faculties also collaborated to provide communal breakfast each month so staff can access nutritious food, reinforcing the importance of regular meals in supporting health and productivity.
To improve and maintain the health and fitness of staff at the UGM Faculty of Pharmacy, there is a routine Friday Health Program. There are different sorts of sports played each week, like gymnastics, volleyball, tennis, badminton, etc. The participants will undergo an exercise session, after which they are served with nutritious foods to replenish their energy. As another form of appreciation, the UGM Pharmacy serves free food on the third week of each month, sponsored by the alumni of the 1992 and 1997 classes of the Faculty of Pharmacy. This initiative also helps staff maintain their fitness and nutritional intake.
In addition to regular food programs, UGM also integrates food support into cultural and religious events. For instance, during the Hari Raya Idul Adha celebration on July 1, 2023, the Faculty of Biology organised an Eid al-Adha event, where three sacrificial animals were slaughtered. This event, led by the Idul Adha Committee and KARPAGAM, resulted in the distribution of 0.7 kg meat packages to staff, interns, and local community members. While the event held religious significance, it also served a practical purpose by providing food to those who may be facing hunger or food insecurity. The distribution of meat during this occasion helped ensure that staff and residents in the surrounding area had access to essential nutrition.
These efforts at UGM show a comprehensive approach to addressing staff hunger, which contributes to both individual well-being and broader global health goals. By offering meal allowances, hosting health-focused events, and distributing food during cultural celebrations, the university facilitates a supportive environment that prioritizes the health and nutrition of its staff.
References:
- https://farmasi.ugm.ac.id/fakultas-farmasi-ugm-gelar-senam-sehat-dan-pemeriksaan-kesehatan-gratis/
- https://farmasi.ugm.ac.id/fakultas-farmasi-adakan-sensasi-senam-sarapan-dan-silaturahmi-bersama-dengan-fakultas-kedokteran-gigi-dan-fkkmk/
- https://farmasi.ugm.ac.id/launching-program-gerobak-jumat-persembahan-alumni-97/
- https://farmasi.ugm.ac.id/?s=gerobak
- https://biologi.ugm.ac.id/2023/07/03/hari-raya-idul-adha-1444-h-2023-m-di-fakultas-biologi-ugm/#:~:text=Pada%20hari%20Sabtu%2C%20tanggal%201,Utara%20Laboratorium%20Struktur%20Perkembangan%20Tumbuhan