Semarang – The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences (FMIPA), Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES), continues to demonstrate its commitment to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2: Zero Hunger, through various social initiatives aimed at improving access to food for students, members of the university community, and the wider public. One of these initiatives is GERSOS (Gerakan Sosial/Social Movement), a flagship program organized by the Department of Social and Community Affairs of the FMIPA UNNES Student Executive Board (BEM FMIPA UNNES).
GERSOS is a regular community service program designed to provide meaningful benefits to surrounding communities while fostering empathy, social responsibility, and humanitarian values among students in addressing food insecurity. Through this initiative, students not only contribute academically but also actively participate in humanitarian actions by distributing food to individuals and communities in need.
The first GERSOS activity (GERSOS #1) was held on Thursday, March 13, 2025, featuring the distribution of free takjil (light meals for breaking the fast) around the university campus. The activity involved members of BEM FMIPA UNNES, who distributed food packages to students, members of the university community, and local residents. The initiative reflected the spirit of solidarity while supporting access to food during the holy month of Ramadan.
This commitment continued with GERSOS #2, held on Friday, August 8, 2025. During this activity, BEM FMIPA UNNES collaborated with the Semarang Food Sharing Community (Komunitas Berbagi Nasi Semarang) to distribute free boxed meals to people in several areas of Semarang City. This collaboration represented a meaningful partnership between student organizations and community groups in supporting vulnerable communities while strengthening the values of compassion and social responsibility.
Through the GERSOS program, FMIPA UNNES has established an initiative that contributes to addressing food insecurity by providing free meals through various social activities. The program serves as one of the faculty’s interventions to help reduce the risk of hunger among students participating in campus activities as well as members of the surrounding community who require food assistance.
In addition to these community outreach initiatives, FMIPA UNNES is supported by campus dining facilities that provide a variety of healthy and affordable meal options for students, lecturers, administrative staff, and campus visitors. The campus canteen offers diverse menu choices to meet the nutritional needs of the university community, including plant-based meal options that accommodate different dietary preferences. The availability of diverse food options contributes to creating a healthier, more inclusive, and more sustainable campus environment.
The implementation of GERSOS also benefits the broader university community, including academic and administrative staff who participate in or benefit from food-sharing activities organized on campus. As a result, the culture of sharing and concern for food security extends beyond students and has become an integral part of the social values upheld within FMIPA UNNES.
Looking ahead, FMIPA UNNES remains committed to expanding community engagement programs that enhance access to healthy, safe, and affordable food through collaboration among the faculty, student organizations, and community partners. These efforts are expected to make a meaningful contribution to achieving SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) while reinforcing the role of higher education institutions in building a more caring, inclusive, and sustainable society.
