What is the ruling on looking at foreign women in mixed-gender education while trying to lower the gaze?

Mixing (between genders) in the commonly understood sense is one of the widespread reprehensible acts. The basic rule is that it is not permissible to be present or study in places where it occurs, unless it becomes the only way to acquire knowledge and there is no other alternative. In such a case, studying there is permissible, provided certain conditions are met, including: lowering the gaze and avoiding seclusion. The soul that sometimes overcomes its owner can be treated by continuously striving against it and maintaining remembrance of Allah and prayer, for they have an astonishing effect in preventing indecency and reprehensible acts; as Allah Almighty says: "Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and the remembrance of Allah is greater."