The Batch 31 medical students at the Ahfad University for Women want their academic calendar aligned with those of their colleagues at the institution and other universities.
In the petition, a copy of which was obtained by Radio Tamazuj, the students stated: “We desire to continue our studies because it is a right that we will never give up.”
They proposed to resume studies either directly or online and to establish partnerships with other universities inside and outside Sudan.
One of the students, Naema Mohammed Khair, told Radio Tamazuj: “The university has not had a clear stance on completing the studies. Parents met with the administration, but all the solutions proposed by the parents were rejected.”
She pointed out that afterwards, arrangements were made for batches 28, 29, and 30 to collaborate with a university in Egypt and in the city of Barbar, but nothing was done for Batch 31.
Khair added: “We organized a campaign to draw the university’s attention due to the weak communication with the administration and its lack of response to the memorandums we submitted, and sometimes unclear responses.”
She explained that they sent a letter to the Dean of the Faculty but received no response, and none of the points raised were discussed.
She clarified that the Batch feels lost, yet transferring to other universities was financially burdensome, noting that they had paid the fees in advance.
Another student, Ola Abubakr, told Radio Tamazuj that they contacted the administration but the response was that they were looking for solutions without providing any details.
“All attempts have failed, and we proposed many solutions, but they were rejected without a justification or discussion,” she said.
She explained that they had been studying at the university for five years yet were still in the third year due to the war, the Covid-19 pandemic and previous protests.
“It is sad and unfortunate that certificates are not being issued for students who want to transfer to other universities,” she said.
Rasha Mohammed El-Mahi told Radio Tamazuj: “The communication link with the administration is very weak or even nonexistent, and after much struggle, an online meeting was held between the parents and the university administration, but the outcomes were unsatisfactory.”
She pointed out that all the responses indicated that there were no solutions for Batch 31.
A part of the administration suggested that they could send recommendations to join the institutions with which partnerships have been established in Egypt.