Are you tired of feeling like your wallet is on a diet, while the food prices at IBA are hitting the gym? Whether it be the café at the Student Centre or the coffee at Woke, it feels like you’re being charged for a Michelin-starred meal instead of a simple burger and fries? Well, you’re not alone. At IBA, you might find yourself in a bit of a pickle (pun intended) when it comes to food prices. The price tags in the on-campus eateries can sometimes raise eyebrows higher than that particularly challenging finance exam.
Broke student struggles
Okay, we all know the struggle of being a broke college student. With sky-high tuition fees and other expenses, paying a ton for food isn’t very practical. It’s time to address how IBA’s food prices are putting a dent in our wallets. Mainly for students with hectic schedules, a limited monthly allowance, and no time for a proper meal. When asked, our friend from the BBA program commented,
“If the prices are needed to be increased, it should be done in a way that it doesn’t over burden one. Because there are students who stay at uni for almost the whole day so some may not be able to have a proper meal due to this and may not manage their day on just snacks.”
Let’s talk quality – or lack thereof
While IBA may be known for shaping future business magnates, they could definitely use a culinary crash course. We’re diving fork-first into the cafes of IBA, where the food prices can give you whiplash and the taste doesn’t always match the tab. According to a student,
“It’s not like IBA meals are exclusively “better-prepared” than what we get off-campus.” (Hoor Anam, BSSS)
A wide range of opinions was noted regarding the food’s quality and taste at the IBA eateries. Some praised the sandwiches at Woke, while others regretted the plate of pasta from SC. What’s not quite surprising, is that most students prefer Karachi University’s canteens and other off-campus cafés. For instance, the Mubarak Cafe near the City campus for its price, quality, and variety.
“I think they [the prices] are quite high, for me the immediate comparison is the KU canteens nearby.” (Huzaifa Ahmed, BSSS)
Why are these food prices so high?
Is it inflation in general or a monopoly amongst the canteens? When asked amongst the students, it was reported that,
“If one of the canteens increase their prices, the others follow their lead and increase their own prices as well” (Rabee ur Raza, BSACF)
Of course, studying at one of the best institutions in Karachi has its pros and cons. However, being affiliated with the name does not corroborate the price of the meals.
“I don’t think that high food prices have anything to do with a top-notch educational institute as it is an educational institute not a top-notch supermarket.” (Huzaifa Ahmed, BSSS)
Another take on this is, “The canteen would justify the increase with the increases in petrol and dollar prices” (Anonymous, BBA)
This leads us to the other side of the story; what the café staff has to say about it. It was reported by an anonymous source that the staff at the IBA canteens have to adhere to strict health protocols. They are fined if they fail to oblige. The staff believes the prices are reasonable, given that good quality ingredients are used and a proper health standard is maintained.
A solution
Keeping in mind that students of IBA come from all walks of financial life. So, it’s only fair that our various backgrounds be taken into consideration. That obviously doesn’t imply that the café staff should work for free. But here’s the twist: raising prices doesn’t have to be a wallet apocalypse. We’re not asking for a gourmet feast on a fast-food budget. Just a sprinkle of fairness, a dash of understanding. As Huzaifa from BSSS pointed out during his interview,
“I think the prices should be regulated through some authority, like a standardized price list.”
