Abac given an ultimatum by minister to end conflict

EDUCATION Minister General Dapong Ratanasuwan yesterday told those involved in Assumption University’s prolonged management conflict that they have a week to settle the dispute or face a drastic legal measure. 

“After seven days, if they can’t find a solution on their own, I will invoke Article 86(4) of the Private Higher Educational Institution Act,” Dapong said.

This law allows the minister to set up a committee comprising no more than 15 members that would control a university when its council members, rector, lecturers or students severely threaten the country’s security, culture, orderliness or public morality.

Dapong spent more than three hours in a meeting with those involved in the conflict yesterday but no satisfactory conclusion was reached, prompting him to issue the ultimatum. 

“I will give them one last chance. The problem has dragged on for too long already,” he said. 

The invocation of the Article 86 is one of the two options recommended by the Higher Education Commission. 

The other one is about mediation, which apparent flopped at the yesterday’s meeting. The conflict at Assumption University (Abac) has drawn media attention since June. At the centre of the row are the embattled rector Brother Bancha Saenghiran and self-proclaimed acting rector Sudhiporn Patumtaewapibal. Both have their supporters, but neither could manage the university.

Sudhiporn said he hoped all those involved in the conflict would step aside and let neutral figures step in. 

“But I shall reserve my right to the post of Abac rector in that case,” he said.

Werasak Anusontivong, an Abac council member, said his group had proposed Abac’s management resign so the holder of the university’s licence, St Gabriel’s Foundation, can establish a new council. But he said the proposal was rejected at yesterday’s meeting. 

Werasak said those involved in the matter would be asked to attend a meeting at St Gabriel’s Foundation on Thursday in a bid to find a solution before Dapong invokes Article 86 (4).

Education Ministry permanent secretary Dr Kamjorn Tatiyakavee said it was regrettable that such an issue had affected Abac, one of Thailand’s oldest and best universities. “The conflict has affected its reputation,” he said.