CEDI UUM Launches Budi Bites Charity Café: Fostering Community Connections and Entrepreneurial Spirit

The Cooperative and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (CEDI) at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) is delighted to announce the launch of the Budi Bites Charity Café, located within the Tunku Puteri Intan Shafinaz School of Accountancy. This innovative initiative is a central element of the expansive University to Community 2.0, Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE) program. Budi Bites aims to be more than just a café; having the intention to be a vibrant hub of social entrepreneurship aimed at supporting local communities, encouraging healthy lifestyles among students, and providing a real-world entrepreneurial platform for the university's emerging business leaders.

This initiative is a collaborative effort, with CEDI working closely with Sahabat Masjid Sultan Badlishah and the Islamic Centre at UUM, highlighting the strong community-oriented focus of the project. Fatin Athirah Fadzillah, a representative from CEDI, has been actively monitoring the initiative, ensuring that the program aligns with its goals and delivers meaningful impact to the community.

The café is led by a team of dedicated student leaders: Nur Alyaa Athirah Binti Annuar Sadat, Mohamad Amar Idham Mohammed Fahimi, Nur Amirah Sairnordin, Zulaikhah Zakiyyah Abd Aziz, Aiman Hakim Samsuddin, and Danish Salikin Mohammad. These students offer a menu rich in local delicacies, including soft cookies, keropok lekor, and various beverages. A distinctive feature of Budi Bites is the "Infak" packages—meals that customers purchase which are then distributed during charitable events such as Yassin recitals at Masjid Sultan Badlishah, thereby directly benefiting the local community through acts of kindness and support.

The café has received significant industry support, with mentorship provided by Puan Wan Aifaa Shafia Wan Mohd. Sofi from FlourCrown bakery and Datin Zaleha from Que Lekor Sdn Bhd. Their expertise has been invaluable in honing the students' skills in product quality, business operations, and understanding the dynamics of the local food industry.

Budi Bites is also dedicated to fostering a healthy campus lifestyle by planning to expand its menu to include healthier food choices, thereby promoting wellness among students and staff at UUM.

Moving forward, Budi Bites plans to enhance the diversity of local products available, aiming to boost the income of local producers and further integrate them into the community's economic framework. The project will progress through a series of educational phases, including training sessions, workshops, and community engagement initiatives, culminating in a symposium in September 2024, where the achievements of all participants will be highlighted.

For more information on supporting Budi Bites or to learn more about the Infak package initiative, please contact us at 04-9284882.