Rajata urged to give up at least one of his positions
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Minister warned holding both Mahidol presidency 'a conflict of interest'
BY COVERING HIS face with a metal box, a Mahidol University (MU) dean sent a loud message to Rajata Rajatanavin yesterday – that he must choose whether to be the university’s president or the new public health minister, not both.
Rajata, a professor and a medical doctor, has been at the helm of MU for several years, and has just taken on his new job as health minister.
Associate Professor Sugree Charoensook, dean of the MU College of Music, yesterday expressed opposition to Rajata’s decision to hold two jobs simultaneously – Mahidol University rector and president and public health minister.
At a press conference, Sugree called on Rajata to step down as university president, saying that holding both positions would be a conflict of interest and that a teacher should know this.
Rajata, a professor and a medical doctor, has been at the helm of MU for several years, and has just taken on his new job as health minister.
Associate Professor Sugree Charoensook, dean of the MU College of Music, yesterday expressed opposition to Rajata’s decision to hold two jobs simultaneously – Mahidol University rector and president and public health minister.
At a press conference, Sugree called on Rajata to step down as university president, saying that holding both positions would be a conflict of interest and that a teacher should know this.
‘Both full-time jobs’
“He’d better quit if he still has any common sense or responsibility. A university rector’s job is a full-time position, and I believe the Public Health Ministry also requires a minister to work full-time,” Sugree said.
He staged a peaceful protest by wearing a metal box with a transparent visor on his head while making his way to a deans’ meeting at the president’s office yesterday morning.
Other lecturers, led by Associate Professor Dr Kritaya Archavanitkul from Mahidol University’s Institute for Population and Social Research and Dr Pratubjit Neelapaijit from the Institute and Human Rights and Peace Studies, also called on Rajata to consider giving up one of the positions.
Kitikorn Charmondusit, who teaches at MU’s faculty of environment and resource studies, said the university council also agreed that Rajata should not hold both positions at the same time as he would not be able to give either job his full attention.
“Rajata must choose one of the two positions and this committee, backed by other panels, will continue requesting this until he makes the right decision,” Kitikorn said.
He also called on the university council to include this issue on the agenda at its next meeting on September 17 and review Rajata’s position.
A public forum may be organised to raise awareness among students on the issue, he said.
