A female student at Al-Azhar university who was expelled last week after a video of her hugging her fiancé on campus went viral can appeal the decision to expel her in front of a university committee, an Al-Azhar official told Ahram Online.

"The expelled student now has the right to appeal the university's decision before a high disciplinary board," university spokesperson Ahmad Zarei told Ahram Online on Sunday.

The board has the power to reduce the penalty, he said.

Last week, a video appeared on social media showing the man surprising the student with a bouquet of flowers, and kneeling in front of her to propose. He then embraced the young woman and lifted her off the ground.

The woman studies Arabic language at Al-Azhar University branch in Al-Mansoura in Nile Delta but the video has been taken at Al-Masnoura University, where her fiancé studies.

The university investigated the incident then decided to expel the female student on Saturday following investigations.

"No decision is taken haphazardly; this is all according to the university's law. The student has violated the values of Al-Azhar, society and the university," said Zarei.

The incident and the expulsion of the woman have caused a controversy on social media, with some criticising the decision and others hailing it.