Nile University students emerged victorious from the administrative court on Sunday, following the court’s decision to return the university one of its buildings.
After almost a month since coming to court, the judge resolved the case by canceling former Prime Minister Ahmed Shafiq’s decision to give Nile University lands and two buildings to the Zuweil Science City.
The decision gives Nile University the right to use only one of two buildings it has constructed, as well as EGP 150 million in compensation. The rest of the formally allocated to the university remain earmarked for the Zuweil Science City, reported state-owned Al-Ahram.
The verdict was met with applause, particularly by the dozens of Nile University students, their families and professors, who attended the session wearing university T-shirts and badges.
“Finally the judiciary did us justice after our 83 day sit-in,” Nile University student Nancy Mustafa said outside court, adding that the students’ next step would be to gain a court order to officially enable their access to the building.
The case was filed by lawyer and ex-parliamentarian Hamdy Al-Fakharany, alongside Nile University students, demanding the decision to give the disputed land to Zuweil Science City be reversed and the land returned to Nile University.
Nile University students have been attending classes during their sit-in, held outside the university campus in the disputed land. They also held several viva exams during the sit-in.
The Nile University sit-in began in early September after the government’s decision to appropriate university buildings and give them to the Zuweil City. Both institutions claim they have the right to the buildings.
In February 2011, some board members of Nile University, signed a waiver relinquishing the university’s interest in the land. The waiver was challenged by Nile University lawyers due to its lack of documentation.
