Youth have maintained an influential if not definitive role throughout Egyptian history. They have consistently been advocates of change and reform. Last year, the Egyptian student movement came to life after the ouster of Hosni Mubarak. And in recent months, after a spell of dormancy, the movement regained momentum. Student unions have united to push for a faster transition of power from military to civilian rule and to fight pervasive oppression and corruption within their own educational institutions. The student movement first made its prominent mark in history on 6 February 1946 when they staged a protest against British rule. As the march was crossing the Abbas flyover police opened the bridge and several students drowned. The remaining students were rounded up and arrested. This infamous tragedy was a pivotal point in Egyptian history; the students' role in ending British occupation was a highly critical one. In the 66th commemoration of National Student Day on 21 February students from universities and schools in Cairo and beyond reconvened at the iconic Cairo University dome to march to parliament and present it with a set of demands. The demands included retribution of the martyrs, the end of all military trials, the immediate transition of power to a civilian authority before a constitution is drafted and before presidential elections and putting members of the ruling Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF) on trial for what they say are crimes against humanity. The students also asked for representation in a constituent assembly and freedom of political expression and activity in their respective schools and universities. The German University in Cairo (GUC) is facing a microcosm version of Egypt's issues today. Its students' freedom of expression is being repressed and they're prohibited from engaging in political protests on the university's campus. A couple of weeks ago, GUC students began a sit-in in protest at the expulsion of two students and the suspension of three others who were accused of protesting on campus against military rule. The expulsion and suspension of the students followed a demonstration and screening of films by the Kazeboon (Liars) initiative, which document violations committed by Egypt's security forces, during a protest to commemorate their fellow student Karim Khouzam who was killed during the Port Said football catastrophe in which 74 fans died. While university administrators warned that the planned protest should be silent, students nevertheless chose to shout chants against the SCAF. In light of these events the student movement has shifted its focus to supporting the ongoing GUC sit-in. A few students from fellow universities including AUC and Nile University showed solidarity with GUCians by joining eight of them in a hunger strike that lasted approximately a week. With a disciplinary investigation committee being led by ex-transport minister Ibrahim El-Demeiri and the majority of the university's administration board consisting of former members of the once ruling and now defunct National Democratic Party, GUC students find themselves once again battling the corrupt remnants of the Mubarak regime. Their determination, persistence and patience have been much admired by the rest of the student community which pledges to support them. In October last year Ain Shams and Mansoura universities called for the resignation of their respective presidents. Similarly, Al-Ahzar students called for all other academic leaders who where loyal to the ousted president to resign. Their ultimate demand was that they get the chance to democratically elect these personnel rather than have them imposed. Needless to say, the students' faith in their power for change fuels their continuous action on and off campus. After all, if independence of thought and opinion ceases to exist so does the worth of education. Nada Ismail Freshman AUC
