Cairo University says only engineering classes suspended

Cairo University said in an official statement on Thursday that classes will only be suspended within the Faculty of Engineering, which has experienced tension following the death of one of its students in clashes with security forces, state-owned Egynews reported.

Head of Cairo University Gaber Gad Nassar said in the statement that classes in the Faculty of Engineering were suspended as a result of "events in Nahda Square that had a direct effect on the educational process in the faculty."

Nassar said exams would still be held, beginning late December.

The Dean of Cairo University’s Faculty of Engineering, Sherif Hammad, submitted his resignation to the University President on Wednesday, along with his deputies. Nassar subsequently asked the administration to run the affairs of the faculty.

Engineering sophomore Mohamed Reda was killed by a pellet shot to his chest on November 28, during clashes between protesting students and police forces.

Interior and higher education ministries have consistently denied any involvement in Reda's killing, despite reports from student eyewitnesses confirming Reda was shot by security forces stationed directly in front of the University's gates.

Students have been involved in ongoing clashes with police, camping in front of the University campus to demand retribution for Reda. Hundreds have been arrested.

In addition, head of the Faculty of Engineering Student Union, Ahmed Mumtaz, told Mada Masr that he presented his resignation to the administration following threats and pressure from security forces and intelligence.

"I'm sorry if I disappointed many people, but I was subject to a lot of threats and pressures that no one can tolerate. Police came to my home, and now I have a file with military intelligence not just National Security," he said, adding, “What I have to say is that I'm a human being, and I have enough to deal with. I may have lost my future, but when it comes to [the security of] my family it is no longer personal, I'm really sorry."

Mumtaz declined to give further information on the kind of threats he received in fear of being monitored.

Student Abdel Rahman Abdel Nasser, who replaces Mumtaz, said on his Facebook account that there is no place for the resigning Dean and deputies to withdraw their resignations, adding that they resigned following what he described as a failure to play the educational roles they are supposed to.