AUC students continue protests against tuition fees hike

Hundreds of students at the American University in Cairo (AUC) protested on Monday demanding a fixed set of tuition fees for the coming three years, al-Shorouk newspaper reported on Tuesday.

 

AUC students pay half their tuition fees in Egyptian pound and half in US dollar.

 

Students have been protesting for over a week against the significant increase in tuition fees following the increase of the Egyptian pound exchange rate against the US dollar due to pound floatation. 

 

The students chanted in opposition to the university administration as they raised banners that read: "No to fees increase", and "My dad is not a thief".

 

The AUC Student Union issued a statement on Monday evening in solidarity with the protests calling on students to continue demonstrations until the administration meets their demands.

 

The Union set three demands in its statement. First, setting a fixed exchange rate for the dollar by the administration in accordance to what the students would pay in tuition fees for the 2016-2017academic year regardless of the exchange rate on market.

 

Second, deciding on the tuition fees hike for the coming three years. Third, showing more transparency regarding the budget and decision making process.

 

"We have protested the lack of transparency with the budget, the lack of inclusiveness in decision-making processes, and inefficient allocation of resources, for many years now," the statement read.

 

"We are striking for our right to a good quality education, for a say in decision making, and for good transparent governance by the administration."

 

In response, the AUC administration decided on Wednesday, November 9, to fix the deferred tuition fees, that would be due within 10 days, to those of the previous exchange rate of the pound, according to Aswat Masriya. However, fixing the tuition fees for the next three years has not yet been met.