Amidst increasingly fevered debate about whether Thai state universities should remain government-run or be deregulated, more leeway seems to have been offered last week.

Academics and education experts are suggesting that the universities' state-agency status should be maintained but with greater transparency and administrative flexibility.

"Change is needed for all state universities to allow them to succeed in an altered economic and social environment," said Dr Wiwatchai Atthakorn, rector of Silpakorn University.

"We cannot remain the same, but quick and complete deregulation is not the answer either. We need more choices, and everyone must help to find the best option," he said.

University officials and education experts came up with the plans at a number of forums held last week in response to the government's push for deregulation.

The cabinet has given approval for the university bill, which aims to reduce bureaucracy under the leadership of education minister Wijit Srisa-arn.

However, the move has sparked opposition from students and officials, especially at Burapha, Khon Kaen, Silpakorn, Chulalongkorn, Kasetsart, Thammasart and Kasetsart universities and the King Mongkut Institute of Technology in Bangkok. Critics said the move would also lead to the privatisation of state universities.

The government decided to freeze the legislation by allowing universities to conduct public hearings, and the universities deregulation bill is waiting for submission to the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) before implementation.

"It means the government is holding back this policy," Chula lecturer Sompong Jitradap commented.

"It is not a mistake to push for the bill. The problem is it is pushing at the wrong time," Sompong said.

Nathasit Rakkiatiwong, who studies engineering at Chula, said students had been unable to participate in a public hearing at his university.

Students have formed an alliance against deregulation with fears of rising fees being the main cause of concern.

Democrat Party leader Abhisit Vejjajiva agreed, arguing that the "initial intention of university deregulation was abused by the Thaksin government".

"Initially, deregulation was suggested to remove weaknesses in the bureaucratic system, to reduce redtape and lack of flexibility, but not to generate profits as was the case during the last government's tenure," Abhisit said.

"The policy on university deregulation is like privatisation of state enterprises, which I oppose," said Ban Pan Group businessman Narong Choekwattana.

"Liberalisation or free trade is good but not in every sphere. Education is an exception, and it should not be sold as goods. It should remain state-run and available equally to every citizen. This is my belief, which is totally different from the last government's policies," Narong said.

Based on foreign experience, quality decline is the main problem associated with university deregulation as colleges go for money rather than quality and academic excellence, said activist Kannikar Kittivejakorn.

Academics agreed that each university should make its own decisions about the future, free from political interference.

Deregulation will not be done in the nine months left under the current government's term, but it could be put on the right track, they argued.

First, any debureaucratisation bill should follow each university's process of public hearings.

Second, the government should allow state universities to hire new staff following a 1999 freeze since it will take time to complete deregulation and universities are being prevented from expanding sufficiently.

Third, government should allow university staff to apply to become state officials to give them more welfare rights.

Currently 30-50 per cent of state university staff are categorised as state workers, with inferior welfare.

"Without relieving these pressures, it is impossible for universities to make deregulation decisions independently," Abhisit argued.

"Government should also ensure that universities receive enough investment before the decision about deregulation is made," he added.

"If the next government supports deregulation it must be ready to invest in the deregulated universities," Sompong added.

Deregulated universities would need 1.7-times greater budgets to maintain their self-governing status.

"Despite the push of most university councils, opposition is strong. The growing debate will allow a larger proportion of the university population to learn more about the costs and benefits of deregulation. We've seen a growing reluctance to embrace deregulation. I think the third choice would be made by most universities if they were allowed," Sompong said.

"They must ensure they are able to survive. Only a few universities with the capacity to make money will agree to be deregulated, like Chula, King Mongkut Institute of Technology Thonburi and Thammasart," Sompong predicted.

Kamol Sukin

The Nation