What is the jurisprudential stance on women studying in mixed-gender universities if that is the only option available in her country, given that there are fatwas prohibiting such mixing, and others permitting it with stipulations without referring to a dire need?

It is not forbidden to educate a girl; rather, she and a man are equal in this regard, except where the evidence specifies otherwise. However, co-education is forbidden if it leads to major prohibitions and evils. It is permissible out of necessity—such as the absence of a male guardian for a woman or her need for a certificate that provides her with honorable work—under specific conditions: such as limiting her attendance to lectures, leaving immediately after they conclude, adhering to modesty and seclusion, lowering her gaze, and guarding her chastity. The ruling on co-mingling applies equally to both men and women.

As for other fatwas, they affirm the permissibility of co-education under strict Sharia controls, such as not mingling with young men and not interacting with them except in cases of extreme necessity. This is because the default principle for a woman's education and her presence with males is permissibility; it is the resulting circumstances that determine the ruling. If it is not possible to observe the controls in universities, and co-mingling leads to temptation and corruption, then the presence of both sexes becomes forbidden.

As for the cases mentioned in the last question, such as a male student standing with his female colleague to explain lessons or merely for the sake of companionship, their permissibility is conditioned upon strict Sharia controls being met, bearing in mind that what commonly occurs in universities often does not observe these conditions. This necessitates caution and avoidance of situations that arouse suspicion and temptation. The conclusion is that there is neither absolute permissibility nor absolute prohibition in the matter of co-mingling.