Dozens of university professors staged a demonstration Saturday in front of the Ministry of Defense, demanding the dismissal of university presidents and deans before the end of the academic year. Professors demanded that new administrations, including heads of department, be selected by faculty members through fair elections. They also called for an increase in faculty staff salaries and the development of scientific research in Egypt. According to eyewitnesses some professors called for the dismissal of the minister of higher education, Amr Ezzat Salama, accusing him of being part of the regime of the toppled president Hosni Mubarak. Observers say that during Mubarak's reign university presidents and deans were appointed according to State Security Investigative Services reports and recommendations, which were based on loyalty to the former regime not experience. Most of the current university heads were members in the then-ruling National Democratic Party (NDP).
