Student video tapes alleged harassment
THAWEESAK BUTCHAN & SIRIKUL BUNNAG
Ubon Rajathanee University has suspended a lecturer accused of harassing a female student by offering her good grades in exchange for sex.
University rector Prakob Wirojanagud said yesterday Asst Prof Chakkarit Uttho of the liberal arts faculty has been relieved of his job pending a disciplinary investigation.
If the inquiry finds there are ground to the allegation, Mr Chakkarit would be fired, said the rector.
The inquiry was due to present its report within 10 days.
The third-year student at the faculty of business administration, whose name was withheld, sought help from police after the first alleged approach from the 41-year-old lecturer.
Police suggested she pretend to accept the offer and use a video camera to record their next meeting.
 |
| A photo taken with a hidden camera allegedly shows Ubon Rajathanee University lecturer Chakkarit Uttho trying to molest a student in his office in return for upgrading her exam result. He has been suspended from duty. |
When the lecturer called her again, she agreed to meet him at his office.
The video footage of the meeting showed Mr Chakkarit hugging the student and allegedly trying to sexually molest her.
Mr Prakob said the accused lecturer had been placed on probation before by the university after similar complaints were received from other female students.
However, in the other cases no solid evidence was presented that could force his dismissal.
Mr Prakob praised the student for her bravery in reporting the alleged incident.
The university has also set up a central committee to look into complaints of unfair grading made against certain lecturers and to prevent them from taking advantage of students from now on.
Vice rector Supachai Hathongkhum said the university would give its full cooperation to police handling Mr Chakkarit's case.
Police yesterday asked the female student to identify Mr Chakkarit's office on the third floor of the faculty of liberal arts building.
Education Minister Somchai Wongsawat has instructed all universities to take such complaints from students seriously. However, the system would never be entirely free of such complaints as there were 700,000-800,000 education officials in the country, he said.
Prev
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
Next
