Cairo University to ban politically affiliated student groups

Ahram Online , Sunday 31 Aug 2014

University head says that political student groups will not be allowed on campus in the coming academic year

Cairo University
Cairo University (Photo : Mai Shaheen)

Cairo University will not allow any politically affiliated student groups on campus in the new academic year, university head Gaber Nassar said on Sunday.

In statements to MENA agency, Nassar said that student groups would be dissolved if they were used for any political or partisan activities.

The new academic year starts on 11 October in public universities. The start date, originally scheduled for September, was delayed to allow maintenance work in student dormitories, according to Siyad Abdel-Khalek, the higher education minister. 

Nassar also told MENA that the financial allocations for scientific research in the new academic year would increase from LE70 million to LE100 million.

The previous academic year saw an unprecedented wave of protests and clashes on Egyptian campuses, following the ousting of president Mohamed Morsi in July 2013. Fourteen students were killed in the violence, and hundreds have been jailed for illegal protests or for causing violence. Hundreds of other students have been suspended or expelled from their universities for protesting.

University exams were repeatedly postponed due to the ongoing violence.

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