An Egyptian professor who was accused of insulting religion and failing to be present for her lectures has been referred to inquiry.

Suez Canal University President Maher Mosbah has ordered that Professor Mona al-Brince be questioned after her students and head of department filed complaints against her.

"(The decision) was based on complaints from 40 students from the Education Department, the dean of faculty and head of department, against Dr. Mona al-Brince who was accused of contempt of religion and slandering sheikhs," Mosbah told Aswat Masriya.

The accusers complained that Brince discusses topics that are irrelevant to the syllabus and is not always present for her lectures.

Mosbah asked students to continue to respect the professor as the law takes its course, while Brince, who teaches English at Suez Canal University, has denied the allegations to a satellite channel.