“If you want to know the value of a year, ask a student who is repeating a class,” said Sara, a University of Benghazi (UoB) sophomore medical student, about the five years she has spent in university due to repeated suspensions.
The UoB stopped classes in mid May 2014, fearing for students’ safety after the launching of Operation Dignity and because the campus is located near the headquarters of the February 17 Brigade.
“If you want to know the value of a year, ask a student who is repeating a class,” said Sara, a University of Benghazi (UoB) sophomore medical student, about the five years she has spent in university due to repeated suspensions.
The UoB stopped classes in mid May 2014, fearing for students’ safety after the launching of Operation Dignity and because the campus is located near the headquarters of the February 17 Brigade.
Amidst demands and objections to resume classes, UoB administration decided during one of its recent meetings it would only do so once Benghazi is fully liberated from the armed militias.
Waste of time
“We were about to sit the final exams at the end of May 2014, but launching Operation Dignity suspended classes until further notice,” said Sara.
Considering this suspension a waste of time, Sara demands that university officials hold exams at a safe area in the city. “There is no reason to wait until the UoB’s premises are maintained,” she added.
The February Revolution wasted a whole year and the current war is about to waste another two academic years – 2013-2014 and 2014-2015 – and UoB students are the only affected ones in Libya.
Making demands
A large number of students, especially those who could not join other universities inside or outside Libya, have repeatedly demanded on social networking sites, the resumption of classes despite the difficult living conditions in the city and security situation in some areas. Many in Benghazi have become displaced, including students whose current conditions prevent them from continuing their studies.
One engineering student says she supports resuming classes and holding the exams for Benghazi’s students to avoid wasting another year. “This is getting on our nerves while other cities’ students continue their studies,” she added.
Most Libyan universities have welcomed UoB students who have gone on to finish their exams and studies at other Libyan universities.
Destroyed university
“Sure, we would like to have classes resumed, but I do not think this will happen immediately after liberating Benghazi,” said Nisreen, a Faculty of Arts (FoA) student. “All UoB premises have been damaged significantly, particularly the FoA, and many photos have been posted on the internet, showing the size of its destruction after the building was set on fine.”
She believes that the large number of students makes it difficult to provide an alternative building, especially since most of Benghazi’s areas have been destroyed due to clashes.
Fighting more important than studying
Many UoB students oppose resuming classes at this time, stressing the need to observe the displaced families’ conditions.
Mohamed, an Economics student, says there is no time for studying since many students “are on the frontline fighting terrorism,” considering resuming classes a “betrayal.” “It is not acceptable that some are sacrificing their lives while fighting terrorism, while others are studying as if nothing were happening,” he argues.
Some parents describe the situation in Benghazi as dangerous and many of them say they will not allow their daughters to go back to the university at this time even classes are resumed.
“Graduation is still many years ahead,” says UoB medical student Sara. “I do not know if classes will resume following Benghazi’s liberation or after maintaining UoB’s premises? Studying medicine is quite different from studying any other major. We are the most affected in Benghazi.”
