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    Indian tourist arrivals to Egypt jump 18.8% in H1-2025: ministry data    Egypt prepares unified stance ahead of COP30 in Brazil    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    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    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    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.



University bylaws ratified without referendum
Published in Daily News Egypt on 21 - 10 - 2012

A student protest at Cairo University during a visit of Mohamed Morsy. There has been a proliferation of protests since the 25 January Revolution. (Photo by Mohamed Omar)
The Egyptian Student Union (ESU) handed draft bylaws this week to the minister of higher education without putting it to a referendum. Students say that the bylaws restrict their freedom to organise activities and they plan to protest for a fairer system. They also aim to prevent the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) majority in the ESU in the next elections.
Taha Heneish a student representative of the Egyptian Social Democratic Party (ESDP) said “the ESU made these bylaws and the minister for higher education approved them. This is not good because the laws were made behind closed doors without any input from the students."
Student have fought for changes to be made to the 1979 state university governing bylaws for years on the basis that they restrict the students' freedom to organise activities in universities. Heneish claims that despite the changes “the majority of the bylaws still restrict student activities."
He also pointed out that there is one positive outcome from the new bylaws. He said “authority now lies with the ESU rather than the college administration which is a positive step."
However the domination of the ESU by the MB is cause for concern. Heneish commented, “there are 20 seats on the ESU and 13 of them are occupied by the MB and unless they agree we do not have the freedom to organise anything. It is the students' right and shouldn't be restricted, ESU should coordinate activities, not restrict them."
The ESU and the Ministry of Higher Education were not available for comment.
Heneish added that there will be a meeting on Monday with representatives from 27 different groups including ESDP, Al-Dostour party, the Revolutionary Socialists, the Egyptian Current party and Al-Wasat party. They will discuss the situation and organise a protest, calling for more student input in the drafting of university bylaws.
Opinion polls were held last Wednesday and Thursday to gauge the views of the students about the draft laws. Heneish claimed the poll was a farce, stating, “[the polls] aim to know the opinion of students who aren't even aware of the contents of the draft bylaws."At that time the president of the ESU, Ahmed Omar pointed out, “the polls...are only advisory and not binding and neither are their results."
Heneish also affirmed that in the next ESU elections “we will prevent the MB from dominating the ESU." The elections are due to be held at the beginning of November, according to Haneish.


Clic here to read the story from its source.