UI Student Body Rejects Establishment of Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit on Campus
The Chairman of the University of Indonesia Student Executive Body (BEM UI), Yatalathof Ma’shum Imawan, has emphasised the rejection of plans to establish a Nutrition Fulfilment Service Unit (SPPG) on campus. He assessed that the policy is not appropriately targeted for higher education institutions.
Athof, as he is affectionately known, stated that the rejection does not mean opposing the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) programme as a whole. According to him, the programme has a strong academic foundation and can be beneficial if implemented correctly.
“The problem is, if it is not appropriately targeted, what is sacrificed is the campus facilities that are not repaired, increasingly high education costs, and the welfare of lecturers that remains neglected,” said Athof when confirmed on Monday, 4 May 2026.
He expressed concern over the plan to build an SPPG on campus, which he believes reflects a mistake in determining priorities for higher education policy.
“If policymakers realise the primary needs of the campus, what should be promoted is an increase in research funding and lecturer welfare, to produce quality graduates,” he said.
Athof assessed that the policy tends to be short-term oriented. “What is important is that basic needs are met, but in the future, graduates will still struggle to compete in the job market if the quality of education is not improved,” he added.
This student from the Faculty of Economics and Business (FEB) at UI also criticised higher education policymakers who he believes are not focused on the root problems.
“The country fails to create jobs, but instead blames the campus and students,” he said.
According to Athof, this approach leads the government to promote the establishment of SPPG on campuses, rather than improving the quality of higher education to align with labour market needs.
He likened the situation to a captain taking the wrong course. “Current higher education policy is like a ship directed incorrectly, and then the mistake is blamed on the campus and students,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of BEM FISIP UI, Raffael Harefa, added that the urgent needs of the academic community at present are improvements in welfare, including lecturer salaries and increasingly expensive tuition fees.
“If suddenly the campus is given a kitchen facility, this shows misplaced priorities. Stakeholders are still facing many fundamental problems,” said Raffael.
He also assessed that the MBG programme still requires much evaluation in its implementation.
“According to us, that step seems hasty. Lecturer and academic community welfare should be prioritised first,” he said.
It is known that Hasanuddin University (Unhas) became the first campus to build an SPPG. The facility was inaugurated by the Head of the National Nutrition Agency, Dadan Hindayana, together with the Minister of Research, Technology, and Higher Education, Brian Yuliarto.
Brian previously urged higher education institutions to actively participate in government programmes, including the formation of SPPG, and not just be spectators.