World · Singapore Bureau
NTU students rally against canteen vendor evictions over costs
Nanyang Technological University students have launched a petition to retain canteen food vendors facing significant rent increases and hefty renovation fees. The stalls, which have long served the campus community, are reportedly being threatened by the new charges.
LSN Singapore ·
Students at Nanyang Technological University have mobilised to support canteen vendors navigating what they describe as unsustainable financial pressures from the institution. The petition comes as food stallholders face allegations of rent hikes alongside a S$20,000 renovation fee, a combination that threatens the viability of long-established food operations on campus.
The move reflects growing concern among the student body about the potential loss of affordable dining options and the livelihoods of vendors who have built their businesses serving the university community. Campus canteens have traditionally played a central role in university life across Singapore, offering subsidised meals and supporting local food entrepreneurs.
The situation highlights the broader tension between university facility management and small food business operators, particularly regarding operational costs and facility standards. Such disputes have surfaced periodically at educational institutions as management seeks to upgrade infrastructure while vendors struggle with rising overheads.
NTU has not issued an immediate public response to the student petition. The matter underscores ongoing discussions within Singapore's tertiary education sector about balancing financial sustainability with student welfare and supporting hawker-style food culture on campuses.