Status

Approved by the Vice-Chancellor in 2025. In effect from February 2025 . Next review February 2027. Published at Campus Life

Purpose

Uttara University does not want any capable student to go without food because of cost. The scheme gives students in financial difficulty a set number of free meals at campus food outlets through a meal card. It supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty).

Scope

The scheme applies to all enrolled undergraduate and postgraduate students. It covers meals at the canteen. It does not cover food bought off campus, and it does not cover staff. Short-term emergency help is covered by the Emergency Meal Fund Policy.

Key terms

Meal card: a card or voucher in the student’s name that is used at the canteen like any other payment card, so other students cannot tell it apart.

Eligible student: a student who qualifies under the rules below.

Confidential: only the named staff in the Office of Student Affairs and Finance and Accounts see a student’s name.

Who can get a card

Students who hold a need-based tuition waiver students approved through the Office of Student Affairs case review for sudden financial difficulty; and any student who asks the Office of Student Affairs directly for help, where the Office confirms the need. Nobody is asked to prove hardship in front of others.

What a student receives

1 free meal per day at the canteen, up to BDT 120 per meal, for one semester. Cards are renewed each semester after a short check-in. A card cannot be passed to another person. A lost card is replaced free once.

How to apply

Ask in person at the Office of Student Affairs or by email to info@uttarauniversity.edu.bd. A short form asks for name, student ID, programme and a brief reason. Documents are optional. The Office replies within 3 working days and issues the card within 5 working days of approval. Students can ask at any time in the semester.

Funding

The Vice-Chancellor approves an annual budget for the scheme. It may be supported by a contribution from the canteen operator and by donations. Donations are accepted only through official channels with a receipt, in line with the University’s Principles on Corruption and Bribery.

Canteen operators

Operators honour the card, serve cardholders the same food and with the same courtesy as everyone else, record the meals served each day and send a monthly statement to Finance and Accounts. Operators must not identify cardholders.

Responsibilities

• Vice-Chancellor: approves this scheme and its budget.
• Office of Student Affairs: accountable for running the scheme. It receives and decides applications, issues cards and keeps the records. The officer of OSA is responsible for this.
• Finance and Accounts: holds the budget and pays the operator each month after checking the statement against the register.
• Canteen operator: serves cardholders and reports meals served. The office that manages the canteen contract (internal affairs) checks that operators follow this scheme.

Records and monitoring

The Office of Student Affairs keeps a register of card number, dates, meals served and cost. Finance and Accounts reconciles it with the operator’s statement every month. Each year the Office reports to the Vice-Chancellor the number of students supported, meals served, total cost and any changes needed. Summary figures, without names, are published on the web page. Student feedback is collected at each renewal.

Concerns

A student who is unhappy with a decision can complain under the Grievance and Appeal Policy, without any penalty.

Published location and review

Published on the University website under the Office of Student Affairs page and listed in the policy register. Reviewed at least every three years, or sooner if needs change.