TAIF: Chaos, confusion and a number of minor assaults reigned at the women’s section of Taif University campus in Qarawi district on Sunday when more than 1,200 applicants were unexpectedly denied enrollment.
Applicants standing outside the gate shouted at university officials inside to explain why they were denied enrollment contrary to the announcement that they had been accepted on the previous evening.
The university workers announced on Saturday that the registration process would continue on Sunday morning at 9 a.m., but when students arrived to register they found the office closed with a note on the door saying enrollment was closed and that there were no more available seats.
Angry would-be students and their parents damaged the outer gate and attacked some university workers who were standing nearby.
But the workers returned the blows with broomsticks. In the ensuing melee several girls and university workers were slightly injured.
One of the students fell unconscious.
Police arrived at the spot and brought the situation under control.
Several parents said they suspected their daughters were denied enrollment because university officials played favorites with the remaining seats.
They accused university officials of foul play in the admissions process and demanded the Minister of Higher Education intervene and take steps to end malpractices such as wasta (utilizing personal connections to receive exceptional treatment).
