Chinese investment in private Thai universities raises some concerns — BenarNews

Thai academics are concerned that Chinese nationals have taken majority stakes in three private universities because they fear these overseas investors could focus on profit over the quality of education.

Academics in Thailand also worry that these institutions could prioritize the recruitment of Chinese students over local ones and international programs over courses focused on local needs.

Some Thai students at these universities, though, said they have not seen drastic modifications to curricula or courses, yet, since the Chinese investors have come on board. They noted that the only changes they have seen are more Chinese students, and, in some cases, more international programs.

Supachai Pathumnakul, deputy permanent-secretary of the Ministry of Education Science, Research and Innovation, downplayed concerns saying private universities were…