Court ruling splits disputed campus between two universities

An Egyptian court has given the private Nile University part of a disputed campus and facilities, ending an 18-month row with a research institution managed by Nobel laureate Ahmed Zewail. The ruling also ends a three-month student sit-in that turned violent in September.

The administrative court ordered that Nile University regain one of two disputed buildings and 28 hectares (70 acres) of the 53-hectare campus in 6th of October City outside Cairo, in addition to receiving LE150 million (US$25 million) in compensation.

The ruling cancelled decisions by two former prime ministers, who had given Zewail City for Science and Technology (ZCST) control over all buildings and the whole campus of Nile University. In an 18 November ruling, the court gave the other building and 24 hectares to ZCST.

Nile University, a non-profit institution, has said it paid LE62 million to the government of now-toppled president Hosni Mubarak for a 99-year lease on the campus.

“This verdict has set the record straight,” said Gaber Nassar, a lawyer for Nile University. He did not expect the ruling to be appealed by the government, which he urged to "swiftly" carry it out.

"If Dr Zewail wants to carry out his project, he has to look for another place other than Nile University," he added.

Students at Nile University have been staging a sit-in outside the disputed property for three months. They were the target of a police crackdown in September, when scores of students were injured and others were briefly detained.

The swoop caused a major outcry and earned the university support from liberal politicians and activists. Students have been attending classes inside tents they pitched outside campus at the beginning of the academic year in September.

While regarding the court verdict as a victory, students have vowed to continue the sit-in-until the ruling is carried out.

“It is important to expedite the implementation of the ruling so that students will be able to resume studies on the campus, not inside tents as they are now doing,” said Ahmed Nassar, president of Nile’s student union.

The government said it would abide by the court order.

“The Ministry of Higher Education is waiting to receive a copy of the verdict explaining its reasons in order to ensure its sound implementation,” said Higher Education Minister Mustafa Musaad.

While declaring “respect” for court orders, ZCST officials have said in press remarks that Nile University would have to work with the government in carrying out the ruling.

“Zewail City is not at odds with any institution in Egypt, including Nile University,” said Sherif Fuad, a media advisor to ZCST.

“Since the project [Zewail City] was initiated, millions of Egyptians have been supporting it financially and morally in the hope it will achieve a science- and knowledge-based renaissance for the country,” he added.

Mohammed Salmawi, a well-known writer, called on “all believers in freedom, democracy and human dignity” to donate towards building a memorial commemorating Nile University students’ resolve to regain their right "in the face of unjust authorities".

In an article in the independent newspaper Al Masry Al Youm, Salmawi proposed that the memorial be set up in the area where the students have staged their sit-in.