University professor under investigation for declaring 'Tiran an Egyptian island'

An Alexandria University professor is being investigated after he declared Tiran an Egyptian island in an exam question he issued his students.

The Dean of the university’s Faculty of Engineering, Dr Abdul Aziz Qunswah, announced the formation of an urgent committee on the grounds that professors should stay away from political debate in exams.

A maritime border demarcation agreement signed in April between Egypt and Saudi Arabia stipulates that the islands of Tiran and Sanafir fall under Saudi control.

Three exams in Egyptian universities this year have referred to the two islands, sparking angry comments from students and activists, who stressed that the Egyptian parliament has not yet ratified the agreement and thus Egypt has not ceded control over the islands.

No investigation has been ordered into exams that declare the two islands as Saudi.

The fourth question of the Environmental Engineering exam, given to fourth year engineering students at Alexandria University, read: “During the Egyptian-Saudi summit held in April 2016, a mega project was announced that will link the two states by a bridge above the Strait of Tiran to connect Sharm El-Sheikh and the Egyptian Tiran Island, extending to the [Saudi] Kingdom’s territory. Discuss all four alternatives available for this project.”

Students and social media users expressed surprise that Awad was to be investigated despite the fact that agreement has not been ratified by parliament.