Security forces stormed Alexandria University's campus on Monday after clashes broke out between student supporters of ousted president Mohamed Morsi and the university's security personnel, Al-Ahram's Arabic news website reported.

The head of Alexandria's investigation office told Al-Ahram that security forces entered the campus after a request from the university's head, Osama Ibrahim.

Ibrahim made the call after the university's security personnel were unable to control the violence that took place inside the campus, he said.

According to Al-Ahram, the violent clashes took place when pro-Morsi students attempted to stop exams from being administered.

Alexandria's security head Amin Ezz El-Din said that security forces were able to contain the situation at the university.

He also added that 10 students were detained for taking part in the violent clashes.

Clashes also occurred on Monday in front of Al-Azhar University's campus in Cairo, with one student injured from birdshot wounds to the head. Two police officers were also injured.

The students were protesting to demand the release of colleagues who have been detained over allegations of illegal demonstrations – a call made by other student groups across the country in recent weeks.

In February, Egypt's interim authorities issued a decree allowing security forces to enter campuses and granting university administrators the right to expel protesting students.

The decision was criticised by various political figures and student bodies, who denounce police presence on campus as political interference in student and faculty affairs.