University of Sudan suspends studies for engineering students following fire

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Aug 04, 2003 (AP) — The University of Sudan indefinitely suspended studies for engineering diploma students Monday, a day after campus protests sparked fires on two floors of a building and a vehicle, according to a university statement.

Police said 20 engineering students were arrested in Sunday’s riot, which was started by students demanding better degrees. Prosecutors are believed to be determining what charges would be filed.

The university’s director for scientific and technological studies, Ahmed al-Tayeb Ahmed, described the burning of the campus building as “criminal behavior unbecoming for university students and necessitates legal accountability.”

The decision to suspend the engineering diploma studies program was made to protect other university students, Ahmed said in the statement, a copy of which was obtained by The Associated Press.

Ahmed said the protesting students wanted their engineering studies recognized with a bachelor’s degree, and not a lesser diploma as offered by the program they had enrolled in.