Cross posted from Nature Middle East

The future of Egypt’s first not-for-profit research university is in turmoil. Its funds have been frozen by the interim government and blocked from moving into its new campus in 6th Of October City, after allegations of corruption linked to former Prime Minister Ahmed Nazif, one of Nile University’s founders.

On 9 February, Sayed Behery, a prominent Egyptian lawyer, filed a complaint to the attorney general against Nazif, accusing him of abusing his position to donate public land and buildings to Nile University for a new campus. Nile University remains in two unfit buildings on the outskirts of Cairo. One week later, the new cabinet decided to transfer control of the new campus from the university to the Ministry of Higher Education’s Higher Education Enhancement Project Fund (HEEPF)

“We were never ‘given’ the land, we were only given the right of use. The ministry still owns the land and buildings,” says Tarek Khalil, president and provost of Nile University. “This was the agreement. The private sector would provide the funding for the operation, and the government would provide the infrastructure, which is the land and the building.” He stresses Nazif was only involved as a funder because of his enthusiasm for the project.

“At no time whatsoever was the near idea of selling the university by anyone to anyone ever considered or even mentioned,” adds Khalil.

Read the rest of this feature at Nature Middle East.