Egypt's Supreme Council of Universities approved on Saturday a three-week extension of the current academic year to complete the study plan for the different scientific disciplines in universities and institutes nationwide. This comes after the government this month decided to extend the mid-year holiday for university and school students for an additional week to end on 26 February amid coronavirus concerns. In addition, first semester exams, set for December 2020, were rescheduled to begin on 27 February. Students unwilling to take exams owing to concerns over the pandemic are entitled to cancel their exams before they start, the council said, in accordance with Article 80 of the universities' executive regulations. According to Article 80, being excused from exams is not considered failure and does not affect the number of times excused students are allowed to retake courses or exams. Students who get infected with coronavirus can submit a medical report from the specialised medical authority of each university and, therefore can be excused from the exams that coincide with the period of their illness. The council also approved the continuation of the system that combines online and traditional classes, with a commitment to maintain social distancing and reduce the number of students in lecture halls and other facilities. Students in different theoretical universities and institutes will continue to attend in-person classes for no more than two days per week, a higher education ministry statement read, and those in practical colleges will attend 3-4 days per week as per a previous decision by the council. The council also approved the establishment of a Suez University branch in South Sinai's Abu Rudeis. Faculties of education, literature, science, and commerce will be established in the new branch, the statement noted. The Saturday meeting was held at the headquarters of Helwan University with the participation of Minister of Education Tarek Shawki. Minister of Higher Education Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar chaired the meeting.
