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Students from Libya’s University of Benghazi recently graduated after the institution opened its doors after being closed for more than two years.

The elated graduands donned gowns and caps as they marked the end of their studies albeit being surrounded by the university’s dilapidated buildings.

“Honestly I find it baffling, after seeing the extent of the damage that was caused to this university and the amount of waste that was left behind as a result of the war against terror on the campus. It’s unfortunate what happened to us, in Benghazi, and especially in our university,” said Amany Al-Awamy a graduate if the faculty of arts.

The university which turned into a battle field and a base for militant groups, suspended classes in 2014 and resumed them last year but in other locations.

Mohamed Al-Zawy, Spokesperson for the Zawiyah Brigade said, “When we entered (the university) we found, as you can see, all this waste, which we started gathering every day from college campuses. You also saw the land mines, which we collected and disarmed from several college campuses and in hallways, where they were placed to stop any intruders.”

The scars of the turmoil that rocked the North African nation are visible in this school which was founded in 1995.

Nonetheless, the students are hopeful for a better future.