Phuket - In crisis, there is always opportunity. This maxim rings true at Prince of Songkla University`s Pattani campus, which is in one of the three troubled provinces in the far South. ``Since the violence erupted four years ago, the number of students studying here from other regions has dropped sharply,`` campus vice-rector Sompong Thongpong said.
``That creates an opportunity for local students who were unable to compete for seats before.``
Before the violence flared, about 70% of the university`s students were Buddhists. The rest were Muslims from Pattani, Yala and Narathiwat.
Last year, the trend reversed. The share of local Muslims on campus rose to 50% as non-southerners pulled out of the region. The campus is now Muslim-dominated and staff have become more culturally sensitive. Non-Muslim students are asked to dress modestly, and show respect for Islamic beliefs and traditions.
``Buddhist Thai students are asked to be careful when they play around and tell dirty jokes.
``They may feel a little uneasy, but it`s all for the sake of harmony,`` Asst Prof Sompong said.
Life goes on as usual and students still go out at night. Charoenpradit road in front of the campus is busy with students until late. Police and soldiers provide security.
Asst Prof Sompong said local students now have better access to education than ever before.
They have begun asking the university to provide new courses such as engineering, computer science and medical science.
The campus, which is renowned for its social science and arts courses, has just opened a nursing college.
Earlier this week, the university organised an international conference on cultural diversity in education in Phuket.
The conference looked at how to respond to culturally diversified classrooms, and techniques for employing education to foster peace.
Delegates came from the US, Europe and Asia. It was part of the university`s attempt to turn the Pattani campus into an ``academic hub of cultural diversity``.
The university plans to open an international programme for Islamic studies in June. The course, taught in Arabic and English, aims to draw local people and Muslims from China, the Philippines and Cambodia. It will include courses in religion, social science, and law and economics based on Sharia law.
Source: www.bangkokpost.com (10 April 2008)