Students in Nanjing are among those who can look forward to enjoying delivery service from their university canteens when the new academic year starts this September, as a food delivery giant inks nationwide deal to service 2,000 education institutions.
On Tuesday 7 July, Zhejiang University Logistics Group signed an agreement with Eleme, one of China’s biggest meal distributors, to provide canteen delivery services for students from this September.
It may initially seem a little strange to many that a giant food delivery company be necessary to deliver on-campus meals. Not if you are a student at one of the sprawling campuses of Nanjing universities in Xianlin University Town.
Until now, students wasted valuable study hours each day in long walks to and from dormitories, classrooms and the canteen.
- University Canteen Scandal; Outside Diners Stop Students Eating
- CaFe Chemistry is Missing Link at Nanjing University in Xianlin
- Blackboard Paintings Become Hit for Nanjing University Cleaner
Many universities also set up their own student-run delivery service in the past, that were a good way of addressing the issue while providing students with much-needed work experience, plus a bit of spending money.
A student surnamed Gao, a junior in Ningbo, is one of these part-time delivery boys. Speaking with national media outlet, The Paper, he said, “I usually bring meals for my roommates, and now I can make money at the same time”. Gao said that at most, he could deliver 60 or 70 orders a day, with which he can basically support himself.
Other universities rolling out mass delivery programs as the new academic year begins include our very own Nanjing University and Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology.
- Nanjing University Professor Removed over Academic Misconduct
- Nanjing Students Need Solve Calculus Equation to Access Wifi
- Drug Use by Foreign Students Targeted in New “Law Abiding” Video
“Canteen delivery shall make full use of the Internet and technology, open up online consumption models and realise smart campus catering life, which helps further optimize and enhance the safety and convenience of campus dining”, said Lin Xuchang, General Manager of Zhejiang University Logistics Group.
Hungry students have known for a long time that the choke point in their day is the canteen’s peak period that comprises queuing, ordering and dining. The new delivery service solves this problem and addresses ongoing epidemic prevention and control efforts.
Guo Peng, a senior director with Eleme, said that the company plans to open delivery services in 2,000 colleges and universities in 300 cities over the next year.
