The APP was introduced by two top universities in Bangkok, Chulalongkorn and Mahidol, in 2002. But it has angered some students who claim the subjects on offer don't help for courses like medical science or engineering.

Under the APP, high-school students who demonstrate exceptional talent can take first-year college subjects in the sciences and arts provided by their school's partner university.

Those who pass APP classes in physics, chemistry, maths, Thai, English, biology and computing will get extra credits when they enrol at university.

Dr Kopr Kritayakirana, head of the APP, said there were 70 students in Mahidol's programme with Mahidol Wittayanusorn School, and about 400 students in the venture between Chulalong-korn and Triam Udom Suksa, Chulalongkorn University Dem-onstration Elementary and Pat-umwan Demonstration schools.

"There are more universities proposing to join us, such as Chiang Mai, Khon Kaen, Ubon Ratchathani, Kasetsart and King Mongkut's Institute of Technology Ladkrabang," he said.

But Kopr said APP needed fine-tuning as many students complained that advance courses gave no credits in medicine and engineering. "We need to adjust the courses to be approved by other faculties," he said.

Kopr said the APP system would be ready for other universities within five years and standardised for every school, offering credits at all higher education institutions.

Werasak Udomkijdecha, deputy rector of Chulalongkorn, said the first group of APP students would enrol in June. 

Chatrarat Kaewmorakot

The Nation