Egypt's Minister of Legal Affairs, Hani Hanna Azar, announced on Monday, October 5, 2026, that parliament has approved President's objection to a law establishing the "Kayan University for Applied Sciences within the Armed Forces". The objection concerns article 25 of the draft law. Azar made the statement during a parliamentary session. He explained that the university's unique nature, accepting both military and civilian students, led to the president's objection.
According to Azar, the main issue is the unequal financial allocations for military and civilian students. The president's objection, approved by parliament, argues that this disparity is unjustifiable given that both types of students will be studying at the same institution. Azar emphasized that this is not a matter of privileges but of equal treatment under the law. The minister assured that a thorough examination of the law will take place in a specialized committee.
The proposed Kayan University is distinct from other military colleges in Egypt. While other military colleges only accept students who are already part of the military, Kayan University will have both military and civilian students from its inception. This unique setup led to concerns about unequal treatment. Azar pointed out that these concerns need to be addressed through careful legal examination.
Azar also addressed concerns raised by some parliament members that students in other military colleges receive similar benefits. He noted that those colleges have a different structure, with students joining as military personnel from the start. In contrast, Kayan University aims to provide education to both military and civilian students, making its structure and regulations different.
The minister emphasized that addressing these concerns requires a detailed legal study. He suggested that the committee responsible for reviewing the law will provide a suitable platform for discussing these issues. The government will also participate in the committee's work, ensuring that all perspectives are considered.
The parliamentary session on Monday made it clear that there is a strong desire to ensure fairness and equality in the treatment of all students at Kayan University, regardless of their military or civilian status. This comes as part of broader efforts to refine and improve the country's legislative framework.
The approval of the president's objection by parliament indicates a careful and considered approach to new legislation. It highlights the collaborative process between the executive and legislative branches in addressing significant legal and social issues.
Key points
- Egyptian parliament approves president's objection to Kayan University law due to concerns over unequal treatment of military and civilian students.
- The university is set to have both military and civilian students, differing from other military colleges.
- A specialized committee will review the law, ensuring thorough discussion and participation from the government.
