EGYPT: Four university heads resign before elections

28 August 2011

The president of Cairo University, Hossam Kamel, and the presidents of Helwan, Fayoum and Al-Wadi Al-Gadeed universities resigned last week before the end of their term ahead of the first ever elections to choose new leaders, writes Tamim Elyan for Daily News Egypt.

However, six other university presidents refused to resign, while the remaining eight stepped down because their legal term had ended, giving way to elections. Minister of Higher Education Moataz Khorshid said in press statements that he will accept the resignations and that he does not have the authority to dismiss any university president.

University presidents will be chosen through an electoral college system while deans of faculties and department heads will be chosen through direct elections. Professors and students have been organising protests demanding the dismissal of appointed presidents, deans and department heads in favour of open elections.
Full report on the Daily News Egypt site

Also for the Daily News Egypt, Safaa Abdoun writes that for the first time in decades, the executive office for the Student Union for Egyptian Universities was elected last week, with the participation of public and private universities from across the country. The executive office includes seven members, five from public universities and two from private universities.
Full report on the Daily News Egypt site

Receive UWN's free weekly e-newsletters

Sponsored Article

Getting to net zero, one community at a time

University of Victoria staff

Accelerating Community Energy Transformation is a University of Victoria-led collaborative initiative that brings together over 40 partners, including Indigenous knowledge keepers and community leaders, to create innovative place-based solutions for energy system transformation.

Promoted by the University of Victoria.

Sponsored Article

Africa pays a premium for global climate change sluggishness

Stellenbosch University staff

Africa needs to stop paying the price for the rest of the world’s recalcitrance to act fast enough in response to the irrefutable conclusions that climate change is real and that the impact of global warming could be devasting, says Professor Guy Midgley, interim director of the School for Climate Studies at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Promoted by Stellenbosch University.

Sponsored Article

Innovations to ensure energy savings in a hot, arid climate

UAE University staff

Researchers from the United Arab Emirates University have shown that the potential benefits of building energy savings and a cooler indoor environment, as well as improved cooling effect on air temperature at pedestrian level, strongly indicate that a cool roof with high solar reflectance and albedo is a promising strategy for buildings in regions with hot, arid climates.

Promoted by United Arab Emirates University.

Sponsored Article

A new global university ranking with an ethical mission

Aftab Dean

A new university ranking system aims to serve as a catalyst for positive transformation in higher education, ensuring that universities create an environment grounded in integrity and sustainability that inspires and supports students and staff in the development of novel solutions to global challenges.

Promoted by Globethics.net.

Sponsored Article

SDG progress report launches university into new territory

University of Pretoria staff

In the publication of its first progress report on its contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals, the University of Pretoria is navigating new territory at the same time as it is acknowledging its clear stewardship role in protecting the environment and biodiversity.

Promoted by the University of Pretoria.