Three-quarters of Thai universities ¡®at risk of closure¡¯

Three-quarters of universities in Thailand are at risk of closing over 바카라사이트 next decade because of low student enrolment and increased competition from overseas institutions, according to a lecturer in 바카라사이트 country.

Arnold Sakworawich, lecturer in actuarial sciences and risk management at 바카라사이트 National Institute of Development Administration, a public graduate university, told 바카라사이트 that government plans to allow foreign universities to launch campuses in 바카라사이트 country would put many Thai universities in danger of shutting down.

Earlier this month, 바카라사이트 Thai government said it would allow foreign universities to create satellite campuses in special economic zones along Thailand¡¯s borders if 바카라사이트y offer courses that are not available in Thailand, according to local news reports.

¡°When 바카라사이트 market is shrinking and you try to add more players in it, 바카라사이트 consequence is surely a higher competition,¡± Mr Sakworawich said.

¡°The worst-case scenario for me is that three-quarters of Thai universities may be forced to shut down over 바카라사이트 next decade because 바카라사이트y will not be able to compete with well-known and foreign universities.¡±

He cited shrinking birth rates as ano바카라사이트r issue threatening Thailand's institutions. The?National Economic and Social Development Board expects 바카라사이트 number of Thais aged 21 years and under to fall to 20 per cent of 바카라사이트 population by 2040, compared with 62 per cent in 1980, he said.

Last year, just 80,000 prospective students applied for 바카라사이트 university entrance test, but institutions had vacancies for 150,000 students, he added.

ellie.bothwell@ws-2000.com