The General Running Helwan University: Millions in Disputed Payments and Contracts

In November 2025, employees and academics at Helwan University were surprised to find leaflets scattered through university buildings during working hours. They accused university president Dr El Sayed Kandil and secretary-general Major General Mohamed Abdel Hafiz Abu Shaqqa of involvement in what the leaflets called “suspicious deals,” financial corruption and retaliation against staff through contracts, disciplinary measures and arbitrary transfers. The authors argued that Abu Shaqqa’s appointment and remuneration came at employees’ expense, and denounced penalties and new contracts for temporary workers.

The leaflets quickly became a focus of discussion on campus, bringing into the open allegations previously whispered among employees and faculty. They included a statement and urgent appeal addressed to officials and signed by people describing themselves as “the oppressed workers of Helwan University.” They protested what they called a drain on both public money and the workforce, including permanent and contracted employees.

The statement accused Abu Shaqqa of receiving university funds without entitlement. It alleged that his EGP 50,000 monthly salary was paid without tax deductions, making it equivalent to approximately EGP 75,000 before tax and exceeding the wage ceiling set in 2014. It also alleged that he received an international-student bonus to which he was not entitled, claiming that the amount exceeded EGP 1 million and reached approximately EGP 1.2 million.

The statement, a copy of which Zawia3 obtained, also alleged that Abu Shaqqa operated university refreshment counters for his own benefit in cooperation with the president, using university employees rather than awarding concessions through lawful public auctions. It accused the two officials of exploiting campus cafeterias, including facilities attached to performance halls and the guesthouse, outside the oversight of the Central Auditing Organisation and Finance Ministry.

The statement alleged that the advertised secretary-general vacancy was a legal cover for making Abu Shaqqa’s appointment permanent, with a leadership selection committee carefully assembled by Kandil to secure his selection. It claimed that he did not satisfy the requirements of the Universities Organisation Law or Civil Service Law, particularly at least ten years’ experience in university and administrative affairs.

According to the statement, Abu Shaqqa occupied a civilian position in which military titles are prohibited by law. It cited Decision 172, dated 24 May 2023, assigning Mohamed Abdel Hafiz Mohamed Abu Shaqqa, an undersecretary at the Administrative Control Authority, to act as secretary-general for a year from 1 June 2024 despite having no previous university experience. It described the arrangement as unlawful. It also cited Decision 1888 of 29 May 2025 on his continued assignment.

The chronology in the statement differs from the decisions obtained by Zawia3, detailed below: Decision 1704 is dated 23 May 2024, while Decision 1888 provides for a one-month renewal from 1 June 2025 followed by a proposed contractual assignment from July.

On 27 July 2025, university Advertisement 2/2025 invited applications for two leadership positions: secretary-general at the distinguished grade and director-general of legal departments. It cited Civil Service Law 81/2016, its implementing regulations issued through Prime Ministerial Decision 1216/2017, and Law 47/1973 governing legal departments.

The advertisement required candidates to meet all job specifications and successfully complete prescribed training before appointment. Applications were to be submitted in person, addressed to Kandil, to the permanent leadership selection committee on the fourth floor of the central administration building within one month of publication.

A letter from the Administrative Control Authority, signed by undersecretary Ahmed Mohamed Nour El Din and dated 12 May 2024, nominated Mohamed Abdel Hafiz Mohamed Abu Shaqqa for secondment as university secretary-general for one year from 1 June 2024.

On 23 May 2024, Kandil issued Decision 1704 assigning Abu Shaqqa, an Administrative Control Authority member, to act as secretary-general for a year from 1 June 2024. It recorded the authority’s approval of his secondment from its senior category and authorised EGP 50,000 in monthly salary, alongside bonuses and allowances available to university leadership.

Decision 1888, issued on 29 May 2025, renewed his secondment for one month from 1 June 2025 and provided for a contractual assignment as acting secretary-general from 1 July 2025, subject to presentation to the university council.

The leaflets alleged that Kandil had unlawfully delegated extensive control to Abu Shaqqa, whether out of fear, to avoid responsibility or to focus on his private company. They claimed that Abu Shaqqa continued to punish employees through arbitrary deductions and transfers after the assignment expired without renewal. They cited Executive Orders 77 and 78 of 19 and 20 August 2025, describing the transfers as a removal of experienced and competent staff.

Questions about the secretary-general’s authority

An academic source at Helwan University, who requested anonymity, described anger among employees and faculty who had seen documents showing large bonuses paid to Abu Shaqqa. The source alleged that his remuneration exceeded the legal wage ceiling, citing an international-student bonus of approximately EGP 200,000, a EGP 50,000 salary and other bonuses of EGP 170,000 and EGP 180,000. The source’s claimed total exceeded EGP 1.8 million in less than twelve months. This is the source’s allegation; the payment records independently obtained by Zawia3 establish a separate, narrower total of EGP 915,505.65 for July 2024–April 2025.

The source said the Cabinet had authorised Abu Shaqqa to work only as a national expert after an inquiry from the higher education minister about appointing him secretary-general. According to the source, he continued to perform the secretary-general’s duties despite that restriction. The source alleged that his formal salary under the wages chapter of the budget had been stopped, while bonuses continued to be paid.

Prime Ministerial Decision 63/2014, issued on 19 January 2014, limits net monthly income for employees of the state administration, local government, public authorities and affiliated companies, or those paid from their funds, to 35 times the minimum wage and no more than EGP 42,000. Its provisions extend to permanent and temporary employees, advisers and national experts, regardless of whether income comes from their principal employer or other bodies.

The decision covers salaries, bonuses, incentives, allowances and committee or board attendance payments. It excludes reimbursement of actual expenditure, such as travel, transport and accommodation, when paid under applicable rules. The monthly ceiling is calculated from annual receipts divided by twelve, with excess amounts transferred to the Treasury and reconciliation at the end of December.

Its second article exempts diplomatic, consular and commercial representatives and other state representatives abroad, as well as special bodies designated by the prime minister. Public bodies paying employees must notify their principal employer within thirty days of all amounts paid. Finance Ministry and Central Auditing Organisation auditors must verify notification, with disciplinary responsibility for the relevant employee in cases of breach.

The academic source said employees circulated leaflets exposing the documents and that Abu Shaqqa questioned workers about how they reached campus. The source also alleged that he personally operated refreshment counters in administrative buildings that should have been tendered competitively, employing workers for EGP 1,000–1,500 monthly regardless of the effect on their main cleaning duties.

“These canteens operate through direct orders, and nobody knows where their revenue goes,” the academic source said.

The source believed Abu Shaqqa’s authority had surpassed that of the president, including reversing presidential staff-transfer decisions. The source said matters sent to Kandil were referred to the secretary-general even when they concerned academic affairs outside his remit.

Zawia3 examined Executive Order 78, issued by Abu Shaqqa on 20 August 2025, citing Decision 1773 of 1 June 2024 delegating some presidential powers. The original investigation reports that the delegation was due to end on 30 June 2025. Its sources therefore considered the August order invalid because it relied on an expired, unrenewed delegation.

Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Dr Mohamed Ayman Ashour wrote to Kandil on 22 September 2025 concerning the university’s letter of 3 February 2025 about contracting Abu Shaqqa as acting secretary-general for a year from 1 February.

In the letter examined by Zawia3, Ashour said the ministry had received correspondence from the head of the Cabinet’s advisory body stating that the prime minister approved contracting Abu Shaqqa as a national expert at Helwan University, rather than as secretary-general. The minister asked Kandil to review the Cabinet’s correspondence and take the action he considered appropriate.

What the payment records establish

Decision 1704 set Abu Shaqqa’s monthly salary at EGP 50,000 before the bonuses and allowances provided for university leadership. Official payment and financial-transaction statements in his full name, obtained by Zawia3, show regular monthly transfers and exceptional bonuses over less than a year.

The statements record EGP 915,505.65 transferred to Mohamed Abdel Hafiz Mohamed Abu Shaqqa between July 2024 and April 2025, including a single payment of EGP 177,099.54 on 23 March 2025.

The statements show three principal patterns. Large recurring payments cluster near EGP 39,000, including EGP 39,233.10, 39,232.82, 39,312.00, 39,308.88, 39,307.88 and 39,237.60, suggesting salary or substantial recurring incentives. Exceptional transfers include EGP 177,099.54 on 23 March 2025—the largest recorded single payment—and EGP 33,553 on 27 August 2024.

Other fairly regular payments fall between EGP 10,000 and 11,000, including EGP 10,782.40, 10,766.96 and 10,688. Dozens of smaller payments range from hundreds to several thousand pounds, including EGP 1,786.75, 8,935.80 and 372.75, potentially representing allowances or bonuses for particular assignments.

The records raise questions about the basis of the payments, particularly the almost EGP 177,000 transfer, alongside the authorised EGP 50,000 monthly salary. They warrant scrutiny of the bonus and incentive rules applied to public-university officials.

The crisis facing temporary employees

The leaflets and financial-corruption allegations followed months of conflict over the position of more than 280 temporary university employees. Workers said new contracts stripped them of public-employee status and exposed them to termination without adequate protection, despite their claimed eligibility for permanent appointment under existing legislation.

In June 2025, Zawia3 published a copy of the new contract that staff were being asked to sign. Its first party is Helwan University, represented by its president or authorised delegate, and its second party the employee. Clause two requires employees to perform assigned duties appropriate to their work and submit periodic progress reports. Clause three sets the term and states that renewal requires express university approval rather than occurring automatically.

Clause four provides a comprehensive contractual payment covering all entitlements, subject to Egyptian tax law. Clause five requires accuracy, honesty and dedication of working hours to duties, prohibits gifts or commissions and makes employees responsible for implementation errors. Clause six states that the contract creates no entitlement to permanent appointment except within regulations issued by the Central Agency for Organisation and Administration and Finance Ministry. Workers must comply with applicable law, regulations and internal systems.

Clause seven sets disciplinary penalties for breaches of duties or conduct undermining the position’s dignity. These include warnings, deductions of up to ten days’ comprehensive payment at a time or thirty days annually, a fifteen-day deduction with a termination warning, and termination.

Clause eight permits termination following an employee’s request and competent-authority approval; absence without acceptable excuse for five consecutive or ten separate days; conduct affecting the dignity of public employment; or the end of the reason for retaining the contract. The employee must be notified at least a month beforehand. Termination does not remove disciplinary or legal liability.

Article 73 of Civil Service Law 81/2016 provides for appointment to the lowest fixed-wage grades of eligible temporary and contracted workers engaged before 30 June 2016, after at least three years on the seasonal-wages item of the wages chapter, provided they meet the relevant job requirements.

A July document from the university council secretariat, obtained by Zawia3, records Council Meeting 569, dated 28 June 2025, ratifying the minutes of the 17 June meeting and approving financial and administrative decisions with specific amendments.

Item 23 concerned the acting secretary-general’s memorandum on renewing contracts from 1 July 2025 for 55 employment contracts and 63 service-engagement contracts. The president or authorised delegate would sign for the university. Faculties, departments, centres and units would be notified of the renewed names for activation in the fingerprint attendance system from July.

The council was also to receive amendments to the comprehensive-payment schedule for temporary contracts after parliamentary approval and legislation setting periodic increases for Civil Service Law employees and special increases for those outside it.

The document says these amounts exclude other allowances paid by departments, faculties and central offices according to the nature of work, including effort and tyre allowances under earlier approvals. The annual-increase provision was amended to reflect Finance Ministry increases granted to equivalent permanently appointed employees.

On 30 June 2025, 63 temporary employees filed an incident report at Helwan police station, administrative report 5067, after colleague Hamed Ahmed suffered a nervous shock and lost consciousness, requiring hospital treatment. Workers said this followed his discovery that the university had persuaded him to sign a new contract converting him into a daily-paid worker without employment rights, instead of a temporary employee whose contract renewed automatically.

On 10 July 2025, the university council secretariat issued a decision prohibiting harm to the employment or financial position of contracted staff who had not signed the new council-approved agreements. It required regular payment of salaries and entitlements until signing procedures were complete. It was signed by department director Mohamed Mahmoud El Desouky and secretary-general Abu Shaqqa.

Despite the decision, Ahmed Hussein—a pseudonym for a temporary university employee—told Zawia3 that pressure to sign contracts he considered unlawful continued. He said workers held an earlier Cabinet decision prohibiting new contracts after the Civil Service Law came into force.

“We submitted complaints to the Cabinet about pressure to sign unlawful contracts. We have an earlier Cabinet decision stating that no new contracts should be drawn up after the Civil Service Law. Yet the secretary-general still tells ordinary workers they lost the case and urges them to sign,” Hussein said.

He added that the university council had protected contracted workers’ financial and administrative rights and that employees who refused to sign remained in their jobs and received their usual salaries. Nonetheless, he said, Abu Shaqqa continued to press for his preferred arrangement.

Hussein said temporary employees had exhausted legal avenues and intended to review the judgment’s reasoning to prepare an appeal supported by documents. He said they had threatened to bring their families and stage a sit-in at the university gate, but a representative of the prosecutor-general’s office attended the council meeting and required inclusion of language protecting contracted workers’ rights.

In March 2025, Egyptian Social Democratic Party MP Samira El Gazzar submitted a parliamentary briefing request to Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly and Labour Minister Mohamed Gobran about the temporary workers’ crisis. She said their contracts had been ended after thirteen years’ service without legal justification and that they were being forced to sign agreements undermining employment and financial rights.

At the original investigation’s publication date, the Cabinet had approved two draft prime ministerial decisions amending provisions of Universities Organisation Law 49/1972. One would replace “Helwan University” with “Capital University” wherever the former appeared in that law or other legislation.

The leaflets brought a previously muted protest into public view. The employees’ allegations and documented payments raise questions about transparency, administrative authority and accountability, alongside the treatment of ordinary workers through disciplinary measures and transfers.

The findings call for a serious, public investigation by oversight bodies and the Higher Education Ministry into suspected financial and administrative wrongdoing, and into practices undermining staff confidence in educational institutions.

The payment records illuminate flows to one official approaching EGP 1 million in less than a year, at a time when higher education institutions face budget shortfalls and delayed employee entitlements. They raise legitimate questions about safeguards for the management of public funds.

Zawia3 guarantees Helwan University’s administration its full right of reply.