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Music “experts”
- Published: 1 Sep 2011 at 09.25
- Online news: Easier Stuff
The Office of Higher Education Commission (Ohec) is refusing to certify two music programmes set up by the well-known dean of Mahidol University’s College of Music.
Dean of Mahidol University’s College of Music, Sukree Charoensuk, shows magazines yesterday that recognise Thailand as a country with outstanding music education. SOMCHAI POOMLARD
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Music “experts”
Who knows more about setting up music programmes, the well-known dean of Mahidol University’s College of Music or the Office of Higher Education Commission (Ohec)?
Well, it doesn’t really matter since the Ohec is the one with the power to certify the programmes and it has refused to do so for college's Music Business and Music Industry Technology programmes. Ohec officials said they offered too few credits in musical practice.
College of Music dean Sukree Charoensuk was more than a little upset and quickly tendered his resignation in a letter rejected by Mahidol rector Piyasakol Sakolsatayadorn.
Mr Sukree insisted he would not adjust the programmes.
"I have studied over 300 music courses around the world and chosen what we consider the best for our music courses.
"I wonder how the Ohec claims to know music better than me?" he said.
If Ohec refuses to back down, the biggest losers will be the students who have enrolled in the programmes since they were established in 2005.
"The Ohec's decision not to approve the two programmes means our graduates will not be allowed to seek jobs," Mr Sukree said.
"I decided to resign, for I do not know how to answer the students and their parents' questions as to why our programmes have not yet been approved," he said.
More than 65% of the subjects were about music and music-related jobs while the rest were about general education.
He said the two programmes have been approved by the university council.
A group of Mahidol music students will travel to the Ohec today to meet its executives, and ask them to clarify their decision.
Attanont Kunatanthetranont, a fourth- year student in the Music Business programme, said students were second to none in their musical competency and they were not inferior to any other programmes approved by the Ohec.
Adapted from a story in today's Bangkok Post by Lamphai Intathep. You can read the full story here: http://bit.ly/q79JXm
dean – a senior official at a college or university, often the head of a faculty or department คณบดี
recognise – to accept that something is true or important ยอมรับ
outstanding – clearly very much better than what is usual ยอดเยี่ยม, ดีเด่น
expert – someone who has a particular skill or who knows a lot about a particular subject ผู้เชี่ยวชาญ
commission – an official group of people who have been given responsibility to control something, or to find out about something, usually for the government commission คณะกรรมการ, คณะกรรมาธิการ
certify – to give an official document proving that something is of a high standard รับรอง, ลงนามเป็นพยาน
refuse – to say you will not do something that someone has asked you to do ปฏิเสธ
offer – to make something available or to provide the opportunity for something, in the case to make courses available มีหลักสูตรใน
upset – to cause to be very worried, angry or sad about something ทำให้วิตกกังวล ทำให้หงุดหงิด
tender a resignation – to formally offer to leave a position permanently in writing ยื่นใบลาออก
reject – to not agree with a request, offer or proposal ปฏิเสธ ไม่ยอมรับ
rector – the person in charge in some universities, schools, colleges and universities อธิการบดี
insist – to keep saying very firmly that something is true ยืนกราน ยืนยัน
adjust – to change something slightly, especially to make it more correct, effective, or suitable ปรับ
claim – to say that something is true although it has not been proved and other people may not believe it อ้าง
back down – to take back or remove a demand, an opinion, etc. that other people are strongly opposed to ยอมตาม
enrol – to put yourself onto the official list of members of a course or college ลงทะเบียน
establish – to start something ก่อตั้ง, จัดตั้ง
approve – to give official permission อนุมัต
graduate – a person who has a university degree ผู้รับปริญญา, ผู้สำเร็จการศึกษา
executive – a senior manager in a business or other organisation ผู้บริหาร
clarify – to explain something more clearly so that it is easier to understand แจกแจง ชี้แจง
second to none – as good as or better than all others เป็นเลิศ, ไม่เป็นรองใคร
competency – competence; the ability to do something well ความสามารถ
inferior – not as good as someone or something else ด้อยกว่า
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