Panel to probe Abac corruption allegations
A NEUTRAL committee will be set up to investigate alleged corruption at Assumption University (Abac).
Abac acting rector Dr Thanu Kulachol disclosed yesterday that the committee would be established on Tuesday to probe scandals such as a flight simulator project, the change in accounting practices at the university, and the use of land around Abac’s Bang Na campus.
“The investigation should take no more than three months,” he said.
Thanu became acting rector on February 15 after being appointed by an Abac panel set up after Education Minister General Dapong Ratanasuwan took control of Abac to end the institute’s long-running management crisis.
Abac had been in disarray before the minister’s intervention as two rival camps claimed they had the right to manage the university. Due to the conflict, banks had suspended paying salaries into the accounts of Abac staff as they were not sure who had the power to authorise payments at the university.
One camp supported long-time rector Dr Bancha Saenghiran, while the other backed Sudhiporn Patumtaewapibal.
Thanu said he would try to ensure that both camps trusted the neutral committee. “This way when results come out, they should have no complaints,” he said.
He said he had assigned Apimuk Sukprasit, a former deputy secretary general of the Council of State, to review Abac rules and regulations.
“After we improve these rules and regulations, Abac should have clear guidelines to proceed in the future. This is a measure to prevent a recurrence of the management conflict,” Thanu said.
He is aiming for Abac to sort out its problems within six months. “The sooner the better, so as to minimise damage to Abac’s reputation,” he said.
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