Ministry of Higher Education Rushes to Coordinate with Professional Council for Nation University to Clarify Facts This Week Following Parent Complaint
Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education is urgently coordinating with professional councils to resolve a curriculum accreditation crisis at Nation University's dental program in Lampang after parents complained their students cannot earn re
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation is accelerating coordination with the professional council to have Nation University clarify facts within this week following complaints from parents of dental students regarding an unaccredited curriculum. On May 5, 2025, at MHESI headquarters, Sombutti Rungsaruensri, Director of the Higher Education Quality Enhancement Division, and Benjapa Musikasint, Director of the Central Division, were assigned to receive the complaint letter from parents of dental faculty students at Nation University in Lampang province regarding the curriculum's failure to obtain accreditation from the Dental Council, impacting students. Sombutti stated that MHESI is deeply concerned about the situation and has begun preliminary coordination with the professional council to gather factual information. The ministry has also written to the university requesting clarification and concrete solutions within this week. He assured students and parents: "MHESI will closely collaborate with the professional council to find appropriate remedies, such as additional instruction or practical training to meet professional standards. Should the university's explanation prove insufficient, we may propose appointing a fact-finding committee and convening three-party negotiations between MHESI, the professional council, and the university to reach fair solutions and protect students' rights fully." Parent representatives stated that 19 parents from four class cohorts (second through fifth year) affected by the issue participated in this visit, divided into two groups: continuing students, particularly fourth and fifth-year students, and those who withdrew upon learning of the accreditation problem. They noted the situation has severely impacted students' educational futures and created substantial financial burdens. They urged MHESI to urgently clarify the curriculum's accreditation status and establish remedies including tuition refunds, equipment compensation, and support for transferring to other institutions.
