Course chaos

Photos courtesy of Bangkok Post

Mahidol University's College of Music has created seven Bachelor's degree programmes since 2005, but two of them have still not been officially approved. Students from the university are now requesting an explanation from education authorities.

Read the following story from the Bangkok Post to learn more about this issue.

Students of Mahidol University's College of Music are demanding that the Office of Higher Education Commission explain its decision not to certify two of the college's undergraduate programmes, including Music Business and Music Industry Technology.

URGENT ACTION

A group of Mahidol University students planned to travel to the OHEC office building on September 1 to call for the OHEC's reconsideration, although the OHEC previously suggested that the two programmes needed more credits in musical practice. The students were worried that without the OHEC's approval for the courses, they will not be able to graduate or find work in the music industry.

Attanont Kunatantranont, a senior student of Mahidol Unviersity's Music Business programme, said that the OHEC should send officials to inspect the programme personally before judging its quality and standard.

DISTRESSED DEAN

Sukree Charoensuk, dean of Mahidol Unviersity's College of Music, said that he decided to resign because he did not know how to answer the students' and their parents' questions as to why the programmes had not been approved. His request for resignation, however, was turned down by the university's rector.

OFFICIAL STALEMATE

OHEC deputy secretary-general Kamchorn Tatiyakawee said the two programmes would be approved immediately if the university followed the OHEC's suggestion to increase credits in musical practice. However, Sukree insisted that he would not adjust the syllabus.

EXCERISES

Read the story. Then, determine whether the following statements are true of false.

1. Kamchorn Tatiyakawee is the rector of Mahidol University.

2. The programmes that have not been certified include Music Pedagogy.

3. Mahidol University's College of Music has created seven Bachelor's degree programmes since 2005.

4. Mahidol University students planned to visit the OHEC office building on September 11.