Opening of franchised cafe in public universities seem to be such a big issue. The Deputy Minister of Higher Education has to made statement on such important issue.
I recalled that more than a decade ago, University of Malaya (UM) was supposed to have a MerryBrown restaurant at the Law Faculty building. Due to students' protest (I doubt they were the majority), the project was called off and the facility turned into another air-conditioned Malay restaurant in UM. (This paragraph was written based on what I heard from others. Might have factual mistake).
Malaysia projected herself as a multi-ethnic and multi-racial country. However, the pitiful monotonous variety of food in public universities certainly do not portrayed the image that has been projected. I could recalled the excitement in UM in 2005 when Kentucky Fried Chicken opened a KFC house outside the campus. Students practically flocked to the newly-opened and westernised restaurant to eat the finger-licking good meal.
After my 3-year in Malaysian public university, I was given the opportunity to head downsouth to the "little red dot" island to spend another 3 semesters to pursue a post-graduate degree. To my surprise, in National University of Singapore (NUS), there were franchised cafe and restaurant almost everywhere in the campus. McDonalds, Subway, New Zealand Ice Cream, Burger King, Japanese Sushi (can't recall the brand name) just name a few. Students were given so much of choice when it comes to food.
On top of such pricey franchised and westernised food, every faculty is well-equipped with canteen that offers more than 10-15 food stores. You will be spoilt of choice. In the Arts and Social Sciences canteen, or what is known as The Deck, there are Malay, Indian, Western (Chicken Chop, Fish n Chip etc...I miss the Beef Steak - cheap and good), Pastry, Economic Rice, Vegetarian, Japanese, Fruit Juices and Fresh Fruits, Coffee and Drinks, Fish Ball Noodle, Sichuan, ClayPot Rice, Chicken Rice and Yong Tao Foo. After the renovation in 2007, the number of stalls in The Deck remains the same but another level of the canteen was built to accommodate Burger King, Thai Express and Italian food. The choices of food in NUS is indeed international and multi-ethnic.
Comparing the scenario in Singapore and Malaysia, I would say the decision not to encouraged franchised cafe and restaurant in public universities is not done with the interest of students at heart.
Firstly, it makes no economic sense not to welcome these cafes and restaurants. When such franchised outlets operate in campus, such as in NUS or Starbuck at University of Hong Kong (HKU), students who displayed their matriculation card will be entitled for discount. NUS students are entitled to 30% discount for Subway Sandwiches and the same for HKU students who also enjoy 30% discount of all Starbuck beverage. Malaysian students are paying the market rate to enjoy such food and beverage, adding to the transportation cost to travel outside the campus.
Secondly, these franchised outlets also provide great facilities for students to interact and have group discussion. The air-conditioned environment along with internet connectivity are considered the essentials to students in this part of the world. An escape from the heat and great comfortability of sofas and chairs. Malaysian students were usually confined to corridor or lobby of the faculty for such discussion and many a times, without "efficient" internet connectivity.
Thirdly, we all know Malaysian university students were most active at night and until the wee-hours. Going "Yam-Cha", "Supper", "Mamak" were among the common terms that students used to illustrate their habits of gathering at stalls for supper. Although there were such stalls within the public universities, yet many students would still prefer to venture out of campus for such group activities at night. With the increased choices of stalls and hang-out places within the campus, students can reduce the venturing out rate and that actually provides greater security coverage for students, especially public universities located in the Klang Valley.
To me, what's so big deal about such franchised cafe and restaurant. For university administration to ponder on such trivial matter is indeed ridiculous. University administrator, please focus on higher education matters and let the student affairs management people to decide. If they can't do their job to fight for students' interest, just fire them and get someone else who can do better. Really no big deal!
I recalled that more than a decade ago, University of Malaya (UM) was supposed to have a MerryBrown restaurant at the Law Faculty building. Due to students' protest (I doubt they were the majority), the project was called off and the facility turned into another air-conditioned Malay restaurant in UM. (This paragraph was written based on what I heard from others. Might have factual mistake).
Malaysia projected herself as a multi-ethnic and multi-racial country. However, the pitiful monotonous variety of food in public universities certainly do not portrayed the image that has been projected. I could recalled the excitement in UM in 2005 when Kentucky Fried Chicken opened a KFC house outside the campus. Students practically flocked to the newly-opened and westernised restaurant to eat the finger-licking good meal.
After my 3-year in Malaysian public university, I was given the opportunity to head downsouth to the "little red dot" island to spend another 3 semesters to pursue a post-graduate degree. To my surprise, in National University of Singapore (NUS), there were franchised cafe and restaurant almost everywhere in the campus. McDonalds, Subway, New Zealand Ice Cream, Burger King, Japanese Sushi (can't recall the brand name) just name a few. Students were given so much of choice when it comes to food.
On top of such pricey franchised and westernised food, every faculty is well-equipped with canteen that offers more than 10-15 food stores. You will be spoilt of choice. In the Arts and Social Sciences canteen, or what is known as The Deck, there are Malay, Indian, Western (Chicken Chop, Fish n Chip etc...I miss the Beef Steak - cheap and good), Pastry, Economic Rice, Vegetarian, Japanese, Fruit Juices and Fresh Fruits, Coffee and Drinks, Fish Ball Noodle, Sichuan, ClayPot Rice, Chicken Rice and Yong Tao Foo. After the renovation in 2007, the number of stalls in The Deck remains the same but another level of the canteen was built to accommodate Burger King, Thai Express and Italian food. The choices of food in NUS is indeed international and multi-ethnic.
Comparing the scenario in Singapore and Malaysia, I would say the decision not to encouraged franchised cafe and restaurant in public universities is not done with the interest of students at heart.
Firstly, it makes no economic sense not to welcome these cafes and restaurants. When such franchised outlets operate in campus, such as in NUS or Starbuck at University of Hong Kong (HKU), students who displayed their matriculation card will be entitled for discount. NUS students are entitled to 30% discount for Subway Sandwiches and the same for HKU students who also enjoy 30% discount of all Starbuck beverage. Malaysian students are paying the market rate to enjoy such food and beverage, adding to the transportation cost to travel outside the campus.
Secondly, these franchised outlets also provide great facilities for students to interact and have group discussion. The air-conditioned environment along with internet connectivity are considered the essentials to students in this part of the world. An escape from the heat and great comfortability of sofas and chairs. Malaysian students were usually confined to corridor or lobby of the faculty for such discussion and many a times, without "efficient" internet connectivity.
Thirdly, we all know Malaysian university students were most active at night and until the wee-hours. Going "Yam-Cha", "Supper", "Mamak" were among the common terms that students used to illustrate their habits of gathering at stalls for supper. Although there were such stalls within the public universities, yet many students would still prefer to venture out of campus for such group activities at night. With the increased choices of stalls and hang-out places within the campus, students can reduce the venturing out rate and that actually provides greater security coverage for students, especially public universities located in the Klang Valley.
To me, what's so big deal about such franchised cafe and restaurant. For university administration to ponder on such trivial matter is indeed ridiculous. University administrator, please focus on higher education matters and let the student affairs management people to decide. If they can't do their job to fight for students' interest, just fire them and get someone else who can do better. Really no big deal!
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