Deputy Education Minister Varakorn Samkoses said the number of new students at private universities had dropped from 50,000 a year to just 30,000. At the same time, the number of new students at state universities had risen from just over 100,000 to 200,000 a year.

With the number of new students far below the initial

targets, Payap University president Pradit Takerngrangsarit recently complained that the Education Ministry lacked clear policies about the ratio of students at private and state universities.

"We have no legal means to put a limit on the number of students that state universities can admit, but we may ask for cooperation," Varakorn said yesterday.

He said the government could use student-loan fund conditions to promote fields of study that answer to the country's needs.

Varakorn disclosed that the Office of Higher Education Commission was now drafting a 15-year higher education plan.

"The plan should be ready this September," he added.

He said the plan would identify the number of fresh graduates required in each field in each year, with the number based on the country's needs.

"When the plan is ready, we will convene a meeting of university presidents and executives. This will prevent investment loss in fields of study that are no longer wanted," Varakorn said.