President Mohamed Mursi met on Saturday with representatives of university student unions at the Ettihadeya presidential palace.

He said that he would not allow the rights of students to be compromised, stressing that it is the duty of the state to provide students with services at an adequate level.

"Egypt's revolution awaits the contributions of its students to achieve change," Mursi told the students in the two-hour meeting, according to a statement published on the presidency's official page.

He pointed to the importance of academic achievement and the adoption of developmental notions, saying they are the only means to further development in Egypt.

Mursi said that Egypt is facing many challenges, yet it can confront these challenges through willpower, hard work and increased productivity. 

The students discussed the budget allocated for scientific research, the prices of textbooks and the security of university campuses.

The president promised to consider all of these topics and to follow up with them.

Elections to choose a new president for the Egyptian Student Union were held last week.

Mohamed Badran, an independent candidate and head of Banha University Student Union, won the presidency of the union.