Egypt's PM, JICA chief discuss boosting investment, education ties at TICAD 9    Egyptian pound wavers vs. USD in early trade    SCZONE showcases investment opportunities to eight Japanese companies    Egypt urges Israel to accept Gaza deal amid intensifying fighting    Egypt, ADIB explore strategic partnership in digital healthcare, investment    Egypt's PM meets Tokyo governor, witnesses signing of education agreements    Egypt welcomes international efforts for peace in Ukraine    Al-Sisi, Macron reaffirm strategic partnership, coordinate on Gaza crisis    Egypt's Sisi, France's Macron discuss Gaza ceasefire efforts in phone call    Contact Reports Strong 1H-2025 on Financing, Insurance Gains    Egypt, India's BDR Group in talks to establish biologics, cancer drug facility    AUC graduates first cohort of film industry business certificate    Egypt to tighten waste rules, cut rice straw fees to curb pollution    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Fitch Ratings: ASEAN Islamic finance set to surpass $1t by 2026-end    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Students protest against university administrations, launch 'revolution union'
Published in Daily News Egypt on 08 - 03 - 2011

CAIRO: Hundreds of Cairo University students protested Monday in front of the iconic main dome demanding the resignation of the university's president, Hossam Kamel, and deans of their faculties, accusing them of being part of the ousted regime.
The students, joined by a number of professors, were demanding that the appointment of deans and heads of universities be via fair elections supervised by professors, a new set of student regulations and a reformed Universities' Law.
“We demanded the overthrow of the regime and this means getting rid of all intellectuals, businessmen and others whose goals were served by the regime and Kamel is among them,” said Salem Madany, student at the Faculty of Commerce.
The protests were organized by Muslim Brotherhood (MB) students and witnessed the participation of students from the faculties of commerce, science, dentistry, arts and physical therapy.
MB students and a number of student activists affiliated with April 6 Youth Movement and Youth for Justice and Freedom from five public universities and three private universities formed the Revolution's Student Union (RSU), demanding student freedoms, free student union elections and preserving free education.
“The union's aim is to unify the students' office in voicing our demands in amending the university's law to ensure freedom and the return of Egypt's Student Union [to represent] students,” said Osama Al-Shafei, general coordinator of the union.
He said that they are preparing new students' regulations and will present it to the Minister of Higher Education because he has the authority to discharge heads of universities and to the Supreme Council of the Armed Force that has the authority to issue laws.
Student Unions were dissolved by the Supreme Council for Universities and new elections were scheduled for April. Ministry of Interior affiliated personnel were replaced by civil security, as dictated by a previous court ruling.
“We want free student elections so that students participate in managing and decision making in universities,” Al-Shafei said.
Students at the Faculty of Mass Communication continued their sit-in for the second consecutive day in front of the faculty demanding the resignation of its dean, Samy Abdel Aziz.
They accused Abdel Aziz, a member of the National Democratic Party (NDP), of attacking the revolution.
Students at the Faculty of Physical Therapy organized a march outside the university before they joined the protests demanding the resignation of the faculty's dean, Adel Nosseir.
"He asked us to give him two weeks to leave but didn't do anything; no one at the faculty wants him," said Ahmed Rashad, a student at the faculty.
"He forced us to buy certain books and if we don't buy them, we fail the subject," he added.
The students were joined by a number of professors who said they suffered from security's interference and were denied promotions and appointments because they weren't approved by State Security.
"We support students' right to protest and voice their demands but we as professors are committed to our demands that we listed in our general conference last month," said Laila Sweif, member of March 9 Movement for the Independence of Universities.
Professors demanded the amendment of Universities' Law to allow more freedom in academic life, as well as, organizational reforms within universities to allow for electing heads of universities, deans of faculties and heads of sections.
"We want universities to be run from downside up rather than the authoritarian rule by the university's head," Sweif said.
"Kamel has good achievements concerning scientific research but awarding an honorary doctorate to Suzanne Mubarak wasn't accepted at all," she added.
Students said that State Security interfered in the university's affairs with the help of Kamel, who was sentenced to three months in prison and was discharged from his post after banning an assistant professor from giving a lecture because she wears a niqab (full face veil).
However, Sweif said that some professors are reluctant to have administrations discharged in the middle of the academic year.
Students at the Modern Science and Arts Academy (MSA) organized a march inside the campus, the first in the university, demanding student freedoms.
"We have the same problems of public universities; we are required to get a lot of approvals to organize any event and our Student Union is inactive," said Ahmed Sonbol, the university's representative at the union.


Clic here to read the story from its source.