An anonymous student source reached out to us regarding a series of bus accidents involving Galala University students.

Over the past year, there have been four such accidents, with the most recent one occurring just a few days ago on Al-Galala Highway.

The source, who is also a survivor of a previous accident, provided detailed accounts of these incidents, which have resulted in multiple deaths and injuries, raising concerns about student safety and the transportation services provided.

Details of the Most Recent Accident Involving Al-Galala University’s Students

On Monday, a bus transporting Galala University students from the campus to Cairo overturned on Al-Galala Road, resulting in the deaths of at least 12 students and injuries to about 33 others.

The Ministry of Health and Population confirmed the students were returning home after a day of classes. The injured were transported to the Suez Medical Complex, which is approximately an hour and a half away from the university.

The source states that while this is the fourth such incident since November of last year, the university’s response has consistently been to distance itself from any responsibility, citing contractual agreements with bus suppliers.

They allege that the medical response has often been delayed, with limited ambulances and care provided only in Suez.

Previous Accidents and Responses

The source provided information on previous accidents involving Galala University students:

November 2023 – El Galala Road Incident: A bus traveling to 6th of October resulted in a major injury, with one student’s leg amputated. The university attributed the accident to the contracted bus service provider (Swvl) and denied any liability.

El Mansoura Accident (Toyor El Ganna): This incident involved a contracted bus company. Two students died, and the university’s response was to cancel the contract with the bus company.

10th of Ramadan Accident: This accident led to multiple injuries and one fatality. The university maintained that it was not responsible, as the bus involved was privately operated.

Dormitory Issues at Galala University

According to the anonymous source, Galala University has struggled with providing adequate dormitory facilities for its student population. The following details outline the evolution of dormitory provisions and the issues faced:

The university reportedly supports these off-campus arrangements but does not provide sufficient options or assurances, leading to overcrowding and logistical challenges.

Initial Capacity and Expansion Efforts:

The university’s dormitories initially had a capacity for 500 to 1,000 students.

To accommodate more students, the university converted rooms to doubles and furnished new buildings already available on campus. However, these efforts still only managed to house around 3,000 students out of the approximately 6,000 enrolled.

Outsourced Dormitory Contracts:

To manage the shortfall in on-campus housing, the university signed a contract with a resort called Al Hayah in Ain El Sokhna to accommodate additional students. However, this arrangement lasted for only one semester due to mismanagement and lack of oversight from the university.

Current Dormitory Situation: Sky Dorms:

The university’s current solution is the Sky Dorms by Pyramids, which are located off-campus. These dorms are marketed as a high-quality option but have faced numerous complaints from students:

• Poor sanitation.
• High prices ranging from EGP 17,000 to 36,000 per semester, depending on the room type.
• Lack of maintenance and inadequate responses to student complaints.
• Unreliable cellular service and internet connectivity, which poses issues for students, especially as much of their coursework requires online access.

Despite these issues, the Sky Dorms still sell out, leaving some students without any available accommodation options.

High Costs and Accessibility Concerns:

On-campus dorms were priced at EGP 15,000 per semester last year and have increased to EGP 20,000 per semester for the current academic year.

Sky Dorms, despite their challenges, remain the only off-campus option directly supported by the university. However, their prices, which range significantly, have been a point of contention for students who struggle to afford them.

Shift in Dorm Allocation Policy:

Initially, dorm allocations were based on a student’s geographical location, with priority given to students from distant regions across Egypt. Students from Cairo had less access to on-campus dorms as they had university-provided transportation.

In 2023, the allocation system was changed to prioritize GPA. According to the source, this has led to inconsistencies and favoritism, with some students securing spots in the preferred on-campus dorms through personal connections.

The minimum GPA requirement for securing dorms has also fluctuated, making it harder for students to predict their chances of obtaining a place.

Overall Shortfall and Resulting Impact:

The current dormitory capacity can only accommodate 40-50% of the student population at best. As a result, many students are forced to seek alternative housing arrangements, often in nearby resorts.

Safety Measures and Public Sentiment

Students and their families have voiced concerns about the university’s transportation services and response to accidents.

Some survivors reported insufficient medical support and delayed response times during emergencies. The brother of a student involved in the most recent accident claimed that students on the bus had smelled gas and raised concerns to the driver, who allegedly dismissed them.

Later, when the brakes failed, the driver attempted to mitigate the impact by flipping the bus rather than risking a fall off the mountain.

Government and Official Response

Local authorities and the Public Prosecution have been notified, and investigations are underway.

The Central Agency for Public Mobilization and Statistics (CAPMAS) reported an 8.7% increase in road accident injuries in Egypt in 2022, prompting government efforts to improve the road network and enhance safety measures.

Ongoing Student Advocacy

Some students were livestreaming their calls for improved safety measures and conditions. Their accounts align with the details provided by the anonymous source, highlighting the urgent need for solutions and accountability.