PUTRAJAYA, 29 August 2025: Dutch Lady Milk Industries Berhad (DLMI) officially launched the Transforming Schools, Nourishing Minds programme in Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 8(1) yesterday. This programme is a long-term initiative developed in collaboration with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and Yayasan Didik (YDN), and is aimed at broadening access to nutrition, nurturing both, body and mind and creating improved learning environments for Malaysian students.
The launch was graced by Tuan Zainal bin Abas, Deputy Director-General of Education Malaysia – School Operations Sector, together with representatives from the Ministry of Education and Yayasan Didik Negara (YDN), DLMI’s strategic partner in this programme; underscoring the strong collaboration between DLMI, the government and community partners. Also present were Veronika Utami, Managing Director of DLMI, the DLMI management team, FrieslandCampina Chief Executive Officer Jan Derck van Karnebeek and members of the FrieslandCampina leadership team. DLMI is a subsidiary of FrieslandCampina, one of the world’s leading dairy cooperatives.
At the heart of the initiative are two key programme drivers:
- Subsidised Milk Programme – DLMI’s 200ml milk packs will be made available at school cooperatives at a subsidised price to promote healthy milk-drinking habits in schools and provide students with nutritious options. In addition, a portion of the programme’s income will be channeled back to participating schools through the 3K Fund (Kebersihan, Keceriaan, Keselamatan), which supports initiatives that enhance cleanliness, cheerfulness and safety within the school environment.
- Adopt-a-School Programme – DLMI will adopt one school in every state where the Subsidised Milk Programme is introduced. This includes classroom upgrades and the provision of digital learning tools to create more engaging and effective learning experiences. Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Putrajaya Presint 8(1) is the first school to be adopted by DLMI.
The programme will be rolled out in phases from 2025 to 2029, starting with schools that have larger student populations. By the end of the programme period, DLMI aims to adopt 15 schools nationwide under the Adopt-a-School initiative, while expanding the reach of the Subsidised Milk Programme to ensure students across Malaysia can benefit. Guided by our purpose, we are committed to advancing children’s health, vitality and capacity to learn; laying the foundation for Malaysia’s future talent. This vision is strongly aligned with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim’s Sekolah Angkat Madani initiative, which aspires to transform 1,000 schools nationwide.
Speaking at the launch, Utami said, “At DLMI, we believe that nourishing children goes beyond just providing milk; it’s about investing in their education, well-being and future. Through this collaboration with the MOE and YDN, we are proud to contribute to building a healthier, brighter generation for Malaysia.”
The Transforming Schools, Nourishing Minds programme strengthens DLMI’s long-standing commitment to nourishing the nation, while deepening its partnership with the government and local communities to drive the holistic development of Malaysian students.
Echoing this, Tuan Zainal Abas added, “Education is not only about books and classrooms; it is about creating an environment where children can thrive physically, mentally and emotionally. The collaboration with DLMI and YDN enables us to strengthen schools in a holistic way by providing access to nutrition, creating healthier and safer learning spaces and equipping students with the foundation they need to succeed in life. By working hand in hand with partners from both the private and community sectors, we are not just supporting today’s students, we are shaping a stronger, more resilient Malaysia for generations to come”.
He further emphasised that the Ministry of Education truly appreciates private–public partnerships like this, as they play a vital role in shaping the younger generation to grow both in body and mind. By combining educational excellence with nutritional support, such initiatives not only uplift schools but also help nurture future leaders who are healthier, more confident and better prepared to contribute meaningfully to the nation.
