Global Student Stories: Summer 2016

Here are just a selection of global student stories from Summer 2016, from America, Afghanistan, Tanzania and South Africa.

America – Students protest in solidarity with employees affected by worker’s rights abuse

American University students in Washington, D.C. are to stage multi-day protests and sit-ins to stand in solidarity with campus employees who are contracted under Aramark; a dining and facilities provider to universities.

The protests have arisen in response to the abuse of multiple worker’s rights that have taken place under Aramark at American University.

In previous years, Aramark and American University have experienced several worker’s right scandals including the cutting of employee hours, racial slurs being used by managers, janitors and housekeepers being overworked to the point of serious injury and the failure to acknowledge the death of a popular dining employee.

Afghanistan – Thirteen killed in an attack by gunmen

Thirteen people, which includes seven students, died in an attack by gunmen on the American University of Afghanistan, in Kabul. Three police officers and three guards also became victims to the attack.

A further thirty-five students and nine police officers were injured with 750 students and staff being rescued.

Two attackers were shot dead by security forces around ten hours after the attack, which started with an explosion.No group has come forward to take responsibility for the act of violence.

The attack occurred two weeks after two University staff members were kidnapped by unknown gunmen, their whereabouts remain unknown.

Tanzania – Christian faith students targeted in attack

One person was killed, with two others sustaining serious injuries, following an attack on a church-owned university in Tanzania.

World Watch Monitor, a Christian group working in the region, said many students were left with injuries and are recovering from smoke inhalation.

Students at the Sebastial Kolowa Memorial University were forced to climb out of windows and enter the forest to escape from the attackers.

The university was targeted by a mob who set fire to various parts of the campus. Local media report attackers were overheard talking about the best way to kill the students.

Once the fire had begun, the attackers left the scene.

South Africa – 32 students arrested following library torching

Thirty-two students were arrested following the torching of a law library at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

This came after days of protesting by students due to grievances, which include the price of current tuition fees which may rise next year.

As well as the library, several cars were also set alight. Police commented that those arrested were to be charged with public order offences as investigations into the torching continue.

University students are currently awaiting to find out whether or not tuition fees will be increased in 2017 as both universities and the government are currently in talks over the fee structure.