Universitas Negeri Semarang (UNNES) continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to student welfare and sustainability through a wide range of support systems designed to help students—especially those from low-income families—complete their studies successfully while maintaining their well-being in a safe and sustainable campus environment.
Affordable and Inclusive Student Housing
UNNES currently manages six student dormitories: Kalisegoro Female Dormitory, Sekaran Male Dormitory, PGSD Ngaliyan Female Dormitory, PGSD Ngaliyan Male Dormitory, International Dormitory, and Patemon Female Dormitory. Together, these dormitories provide 390 rooms that can accommodate up to 1,100 students.
Each dormitory offers complete and affordable facilities, including furnished rooms with beds, study desks, wardrobes, and chairs. Electricity and clean water are provided free of charge, while residents also enjoy free Wi-Fi access, shared study rooms, multipurpose halls, musholla (prayer rooms), and ample parking space. To ensure comfort and security, dormitories are equipped with 24-hour security guards and CCTV, supported by cleaning services and a well-maintained green environment.
To encourage personal development, UNNES assigns mentoring teams and leadership facilitators in each dormitory to help residents grow academically, socially, and emotionally. Additional facilities include sports areas, a mini library, and creative spaces such as a podcast room to foster innovation and self-expression.
Affordable Food and the “Friday Blessing Meal” Initiative
UNNES also ensures access to healthy and affordable food for all students. Campus canteens provide nutritious meals for about IDR 10,000 (less than USD 1 per portion), helping low-income students meet their daily needs.
Furthermore, UNNES organizes the “Friday Blessing Meal” (Jumat Berkah) program every week, distributing approximately 2,000 free meal portions to students in need. Over the course of 40 weeks, this initiative provides an estimated 80,000 free meals annually, reflecting UNNES’s spirit of compassion and solidarity, and ensuring that no student goes hungry during their academic journey.This initiative embodies UNNES’s spirit of compassion and solidarity, ensuring that no student goes hungry during their academic journey.
Green and Sustainable Transportation System
As part of its sustainability mission, UNNES promotes free green transportation for students and staff to reduce emissions and create a cleaner campus environment.
- Electric Shuttle Buses: Operating throughout the campus, these vehicles provide safe, free, and eco-friendly transport for students and staff.
- Carpooling Program: Encourages ride-sharing among students and employees, reducing congestion and fuel use.
- Pedestrian- and Bicycle-Friendly Campus: UNNES has built wide sidewalks and bike lanes to promote walking and cycling as healthy and sustainable transportation modes.
These initiatives support UNNES’s role in achieving SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action) while reinforcing its identity as a leading green university.
Comprehensive Mental Health and Counselling Services
Recognizing that mental well-being is essential for academic success, UNNES provides Mental Health Services that are free or affordable for all students and academic staff. These services are managed by professional psychologists and trained counsellors and include:
- Individual Counselling — confidential sessions conducted by trained counsellors or psychologists to help students manage academic stress, anxiety, and personal challenges.
- Psychotherapy Services — extended therapeutic support for individuals requiring further mental health care and emotional regulation.
- Emergency Mental Health Services — crisis intervention for students experiencing acute mental health issues or psychological emergencies.
- Education and Awareness Programs — workshops, seminars, and campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of mental health and well-being within the university community.
These services are part of UNNES’s holistic approach to student welfare, ensuring that psychological health is treated as seriously as academic achievement. Through early intervention, education, and counselling, UNNES helps students remain focused, resilient, and motivated throughout their studies.
Commitment to Equity and Sustainability
Through its combined initiatives—affordable dormitories, accessible food and transportation, and comprehensive mental health services—UNNES ensures that all students, regardless of background, have equal opportunities to succeed. These integrated supports reflect the university’s Conservation ethos, emphasizing human development, environmental care, and social justice. As a Conservation University, UNNES continues to be a national leader in promoting sustainability and equity in higher education. By offering affordable housing for 1,100 students, providing 2,000 free meals weekly, ensuring clean mobility, and delivering professional mental health services, UNNES empowers every student to learn, grow, and contribute to a better, more sustainable future. Through these comprehensive facilities and services, UNNES ensures that every student can learn in comfort, develop their potential with confidence, and complete their education with the best possible results.
