Universities link drivers’ iqamas to exit cards of girl students

RIYADH — Several government and private universities have linked exit permits for female students with legal documents of the drivers taking them home, the Makkah daily reported on Wednesday. The universities have made it mandatory on the guardians to register valid residency cards and driving licenses of drivers with the institution to obtain exit permits for female students. Each female student must present the original iqama and a photograph of her driver for verification, the newspaper said. According to information obtained by Makkah daily, the measure was part of a package of conditions set by the universities for issuing exit permits for female students. One condition says the guardian must present a letter allowing the female student to leave the university. The letter should be countersigned by the guardian’s employer. By introducing this measure, the universities aim to ensure female students reach their homes safely after attending their lectures. The universities have also demanded that they be provided with the details of the cars that will transport the students to their universities and vice versa. The request form for the issuance of an exit card requires the student's home address, street name, university number, email address and civil register, in addition to the details of the guardian, including his full name, relationship with the student, his place of work, telephone number and signature. Earlier, female students were not allowed to leave the campus before noon except on presenting exit cards or in case of an emergency.