THE FATE OF Assumption University over its management crisis is expected to be decided today by Education Minister Dapong Ratanasuwan, with the possibility of a committee being set up to run the prestigious institute.

As both sides of the controversy were unable to agree to a solution to the prolonged management conflict and the scheduled meeting yesterday at the St Gabriel’s Foundation Network was cancelled, Assumption University (Abac) executives will meet with Dapong today at Education Ministry to make a decision on the matter.

University Human Resource Management Office director Wittaya Charoensri revealed that self-proclaimed acting rector Sudhiporn Patumtaewapibal’s side refused to accept the St Gabriel’s Foundation Network’s proposal to dissolve the university’s committee.

The network owns the university’s licence.

Wittaya said that as a result the university had no choice but to cancel yesterday’s meeting and comply with the Education Ministry’s solution.

“We will not negotiate with them [Sudhiporn’s side] anymore, as there was no more reason to discuss |[anything] and it will be fruitless to talk with them,” Wittaya said.

The AU Public Relation Centre released a statement in which it said the St Gabriel’s Foundation Network had insisted on the single solution to the problem – that every university committee member resign and the power be returned to it.

As there was not complete acceptance on this solution, the network announced that the meeting was cancelled and it would accept the Education Ministry’s solution to use power under Article 86(4) of the Private Higher Educational Institution Act to create a committee to run the university.

Earlier, Sudhiporn stated that he had agreed on the terms to dissolve the university’s committee, but he insisted that the new committee must comprise five members from his side and five members from rector Brother Bancha Saenghiran’s side.

Dapong stated that if the two sides could not reach an agreement, which would cause a negative impact on the university’s management, he would have to use his power under Article 86(4).

“If we have to use this power, it will have to amend the university rules and there will be an investigation into the corruption allegations. However, it will have to wait for the conclusion of the meeting on Friday [today],” he said.

Sudhiporn acknowledged the St Gabriel’s Foundation Network’s decision and said that if Article 86(4) had to be used, he could not protest against that.

He also revealed that he had plans in mind in relation to the issue but he would like to keep it secret until the result of today’s meeting was disclosed.