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Published on December 18, 2007

Opponents to the ongoing move to transform Chulalongkorn University (CU) into an autonomous institute yesterday called on HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn for help.

The princess is an alumnus of CU.

"We will submit the petition signed by about 1,000 people and the relevant information to the princess," Dr Sophon Roengsumran said yesterday as the head of the Network of Chulalongkorn University Community.

He was giving an interview before his group moved to the Chitralada Palace to submit the petition.

About 1,000 CU students, lecturers and alumni including Auditor General Jaruvan Maintaka have signed the petition to demand that the National Legislative Assembly (NLA) refrain from passing the Chulalongkorn University Bill.

The bill has already sailed through the first reading. If enacted, it will grant autonomy to CU and automatically remove CU from the list of state universities.

"CU is the only university with royally-granted plots of land in the heart of Bangkok. These plots can be used commercially to generate billions of profits. If CU becomes an autonomous institute, a group of persons will have the mandate to manage these plots," Sophon said.

He was a key member behind the movement against the ongoing effort to grant autonomy to CU.

Sophon said the bill should be amended to eradicate legal loopholes before it was passed into law. "After proper amendment, it can be presented to the new government," he said.

The NLA is set to step down, as the general election will be held this Sunday.

Sophon said his group had gathered 1,000 signatures during the past two days, and expected to collect up to 10,000 signatures within a week.

"I would like to urge CU alumni to examine the bill and if they see the problems, please show your opinion," Sophon said.

According to Sophon, those who are against the bill can give their signature to his group at the Council of CU lecturers, send postcards showing their opposition to Jaruvan at the Office of the Auditor General, or join the rally in front of the Parliament House tomorrow.

The NLA was scheduled to deliberate the Chulalongkorn University Bill in its second and third readings tomorrow.

Sophon said the CU Community was seeking royal help once more after it petitioned His Majesty the King in 2000 - which led to public hearings.

"Following our petition, His Majesty instructed that relevant authorities should listen to the opinions of the CU community before going ahead with the plan to turn CU into an autonomous institute," he said.

In response to His Majesty's suggestion, Sophon said public hearings were held to gather the opinions of the CU community and results showed that members wanted the university to remain a state university with a lean and efficient management system.

CU Council chairman Charas Suwanwela, meanwhile, supports the CU bill. "It will be regrettable if the bill is not passed into law," he said, adding that CU would need to break away from the bureaucracy if it was to acquire academic excellence.

Charas said after the bill was passed, the CU Council would be able to issue regulations that could ensure efficient and transparent management, fair educational opportunities and protection of the university staff's rights.

"If we can't do it, we are ready to accept legal responsibility. The staff can sue us via the Administrative Court," he said.

The Nation