AUC security guards receive martial arts training

BY ROQAYA ZAMZAM

Taekwondo classes, American night sticks (or batons) and the presence of security guards on buses are amongst the latest security measures taken by the university to protect members of the AUC community during periods of unrest.

“We are training our guards against all kinds of emergencies to make sure they can protect themselves and people on campus. Since not one [member] of the security team is armed,” said General Mokhtar Ragab, assistant security manager at AUC, adding that the American sticks help members of the security feel more secure as they can respond to any dangerous situations.

Ragab added that new security plans were not made to adjust to the Egyptian political situation after June 30. Ragab explained that the security team has been working on protecting the community well before the events of June 30, and that their preparations are enough to protect all members of the community.

“We have two police patrols; one stationed at gate four and the other at gate one. They are both alert to any strange conditions and are in constant contact with our security teams for updates,” added Ragab, explaining that they rotate regularly around the campus.

He added that although the curfew came in conflict with the schedules set for the Taekwondo classes, they have been working on solutions to ensure that the security teams on both campuses complete their training.

Lina Abdelaal, a student residing in the New Cairo dormitory, said, “It is safer to stay in the dorms especially this semester,” adding, “I go for walks after 11 p.m. around campus and I can see the security guards everywhere.”

Mokhtar added to Abdelaal’s point, explaining that after the mass protests which erupted on June 30 overthrowing ousted president Mohammed Morsi, students who had on-campus work were only granted entry after the Provost’s approval.

On the other hand, some students feel that campuses are not as safe as they should be. Zeina Tarek, another resident at the New Cairo dorms, added to Selim’s concern.

“If the university is under attack, how will Taekwondo lessons be of any benefit? They actually need weapons; especially because we’re in a deserted area so an attack can happen at any moment,” she said.

Members of the community also expressed their concern regarding safety on AUC busses, which are the method of transportation preferred by a large number of students, faculty and staff on campus.

During the early weeks following the January 25 Revolution, a security guard would accompany each bus driver driving an AUC bus in order to ensure the safety of all passengers.

Omar Nashaat, the supervisor of the Mohandeseen route in Family Transport – the company which provides AUC with transportation – told The Caravan, “I don’t think it’s unsafe now; at times of unrest, the university was shut and activities were resumed when efforts were made to ensure stability in Egypt.”

With the increasing amount of protests in the country, concerns regarding the safety of AUC buses have been amplified.

“When I go on the bus heading towards City Stars, the passengers are mostly girls. I believe that if an individual gets on the bus and tries to harm us, the driver would not be able to do anything to protect us,” said Maram Mohamed, an Economics major.

Mohamed added that in order to protect all passengers at all times, drivers should receive the necessary approval to carry weapons, such as electric Tasers. Like the security situation on campus, those in charge of security on busses have not implemented any new safety procedures after June 30.

Nashaat explained that if a bus faces any danger, they rely on the driver and passengers.