Calls for university ministry
The Office of the Higher Education Commission (OHEC) has asked the military leadership to hive it off from the Education Ministry and create a separate entity.
OHEC secretary-general Pavich Tongroach revealed the request after he had met with rectors of more than 20 universities to discuss ministerial reform. It would approach the ruling military council to establish a Ministry of Higher Educa-tion and Re-search. Pavich said the commission was a downsized version of the former Ministry of University Affairs. The Education Ministry absorbed it three years ago. This had caused problems and reduced its efficiency, he claimed. "For 30 years as an independent ministry we were more efficient. If the CDRM approves our proposal it would be to the country's advantage," he said. A Ministry of Higher Education and Research would help improve the quality of national human resources and research, he added. Jeeradej Usawat, rector of the Thai Chamber of Commerce University, worried a new ministry would take a year to establish if normal channels were taken. So, he hoped the CDRM would use its powers to fast track the move.
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