Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) hosted a workshop on “Approaches to Advancing Academic Work to the International level” at STOU headquarters in Nonthaburi. On this occasion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemmanat Mingsiritham, Deputy Director of the Office of Educational Technology, presided over the workshop. The workshop was conducted by Prof. Dr. Michele Notari, Professor in Technology Enhanced Education, Pädagogische Hochschule PHBern, Switzerland.
The workshop consisted of AI to support the academic work, Tips and tricks for successful dissemination of scientific work. The workshop demonstrated roles of AI in the process of creation and dissemination of scientific work, including:
Searching for the white spots
The choice of the channel
Working on the own scientific publication
During the workshop, the Faculty Members of the Office of Educational Technology jointly presented and exchanged knowledge about research and approaches for publishing research articles at the international level.
On 12 March 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SEAMEO SEAMOLEC officially. The MOU was signed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU and Dr. Wahyudi, Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLEC. The MOU signing ceremony took place at the Administration Building of STOU in Nonthaburi, Thailand.
Dr. Wahyudi, Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLECMs. Cahya Kusuma Ratih, Deputy Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLEC
The MOU signing ceremony was witnessed by Ms. Cahya Kusuma Ratih, Deputy Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLEC, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, Asst. Prof. Dr. Worrawit Nakpan, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs, Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Head of International Development, and Miss Warakanya Thanarak, Acting Head of Protocol and Strategic International Initiatives.
This collaboration focuses on building educational cooperation networks, with the objective of exchanging knowledge in distance education, organizing workshops for faculty members, staff, and high school students, exchanging experts and human resources, as well as promoting joint research and development projects.
SEAMEO SEAMOLEC is a leading regional center recognized in ASEAN for open and distance learning, with expertise in research, training, and educational information technology development. The signing of this MOU will help expand educational opportunities and establish a concrete cooperation network between the two organizations.
Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Vice Minister of Education, presiding over the seminarAsst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, delivering welcoming remark
Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Vice Minister of Education, presided over Teacher Teach Show: Teachers Creating Change Project at Chalermprakiat Building, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), on 10-13 March 2025.
The Teach Show: Teachers Creating Change project is a collaborative project between STOU and the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) for developing teachers’ skills in using digital technology to produce creative media. The project aims to enhance skills in producing various forms of online media. The 250 teachers who participated in this project learned how to use digital technology to create effective teaching and learning materials. This project covered 8 courses, both in online and on-site formats. The participants who completed all 8 courses had the opportunity to enter a short film competition.
OBEC and STOU are preparing to provide training for 300 students at the end of March 2025 to develop these skills among youth as well.
On 18 February 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) visited Learning Institute For Everyone (LIFE) in Samut Songkhram to promote and discuss the establishment of cooperation for dual degree programs. Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, led the team from the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, including Asst. Prof. Janenarong Tiensawang, Dean , Asst. Prof. Buntarika Nuntha, Deputy Dean, along with Faulty Members including Asst. Prof. Dr. Siriluck Namwong, Dr. Apisada Rueangket, and Dr. Sirijanya Aryuman.
The LIFE team who joined the meeting and discussion consisted of Dr. Sakpong Homhuan, Acting for President of LIFE, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supakarn Siripaisarn, Dean of Graduate Studies, Mr. Poomjai Raide, Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, and the administrators of LIFE.
Both institutions agreed to establish a working group to develop dual degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as student and staff development through short courses and other academic activities.
The International Women’s Day Event of Ubon Ratchathani Province 2025 was organized on 7 March 2025, under the theme “Developing the Potential of Women’s Organization Leaders, Driving Community Development” at the Provincial Hall, Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Government Center.
On this occasion, SubLt. Soramongkhon Mangalasiri, the Deputy Governor of Ubon Ratchathani, presided over the opening ceremony and presented certificates to women who have contributed to community development from all 25 districts in Ubon Ratchathani.The event was attended by heads of government agencies, District Women Development Committee members, representatives of women from 25 districts of Ubon Ratchathani Province, and the general public.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Thanapan Thanee, Director of the STOU’s Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center — Ubon Ratchathani, received an Outstanding Woman Award for Community Development.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University delivered an opening workshop address. The workshop was on the topic of “Technical Library Services Management.” The training, focused on book repair and bookbinding, was conducted by librarians from the STOU office of Documentation and Information for 32 inmates on 3-7 March 2025 at Prompanya Library in Bang Kwang Central Prison.
Congratulations to faculty members and staff of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University who have recently been awarded UK Professional Standards Framework Fellowship (UKPSF) from Advance HE.
Awarded Associate Fellowship (AFHEA) are:
Asst. Prof. Jinnthisa Suraprasert, School of Management Science
2. Mr. Narasak Chongkhunklang, Legal Affairs Division
3. Mr. Watcharet Kuntichod, Office of Computer Services
4. Miss Natthanitcha Phetbuasak, the Office of Academic Affairs
5. Miss Penpan Jarusan, Office of Documentation and Information
6. Miss Ratchakon Kongjaroen, Office of Documentation and Information
7. Miss Sasikan Kamhangrittirong, Office of Lifelong Education
8. Miss Kultiwa Thinprathet, Distance Education Staff Development Academy
9. Mrs. Worrani Samutwanich, School of Economics
10. Miss Runyapat Pichit, Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Nakhon Sawan
11. Mrs. Chanutra Matrachaisingha, Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Nakhon Sawan
12. Mr. Anunwat Sanmai, Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Nakhon Sawan
13. Mr. Kittisak Kaeolor, Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Chanthaburi
Note: No.1-3 was announced the award on 16 December 2024
No. 4-13 was announced the award on 17 December 2024
The Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University Model for Academic Recognition of Teaching (SMART) Programme is grounded in the Professional Standards Framework (PSF) and is seen by STOU as a mechanism for its staff to deliver teaching and learning support to their students more confidently and effectively. Advance HE began working with STOU in 2018 by supporting a group of its staff to achieve Fellowship. This resulted in the Chairman of STOU Council, Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, becoming the first Principal Fellow in Thailand, along with eight Fellows and six Fellows. Following the accreditation of the SMART Programme many more are expected to follow, and show a commitment to high quality learning and teaching across the institution.
Advance HE accreditation is recognition that the SMART Programme aligns with the PSF, and ensures that participants have shown the necessary capabilities and qualities to achieve Associate Fellowship status. The SMART Programme has been specifically designed with distance learning in mind, showing that the PSF can be applied successfully to distance and blended learning settings.
On 22-24 February 2025, Asst. Prof. Dr. Renukar Thongkhamrod, Dean of the School of Nursing, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Somprin Niyomthai, Dean of the School of Political Science, joined the Tri-Conference 2025 under the theme of “Constancy, Change, and Co-Existence,” hosted by the University of the Philippines Open University in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines.
The Tri-Conference 2025 consisted of the following 3 programs.
1. International Symposium for ASEAN Studies (ISAS) program
Theme: Fostering Collaboration and Embracing Innovation for a Sustainable Future
The objective was to serve as a platform for academics, policy makers, stakeholders, and ASEAN researchers to exchange knowledge and experiences.
2. International Symposium on Education and AI Convergence (ISEAC) program
Theme: Constancy, Change, and Co-existence: Navigating the Interplay between Education, AI, and Cybersecurity in a Dynamic World
The objective was to explore advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber security, including their impact on education. This conference features keynote speeches from renowned experts and academic presentations.
3. International Conference on Open and Distance eLearning (ICODeL) program
Theme: Constancy, Adaptability and Co-existence Towards A Hopeful Future”
The objective was to provide a forum for academics, practitioners, and policy makers in distance education and e-learning to have opportunities to exchange experiences and build collaboration among themselves.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, opening the workshop.Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nareerut Seerasarn, Faculty Member of School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, during the training session
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and the Education and Mental Development Sub-Division, Central Women Correctional Institution co-organized a foreign language (English & Chinese) communication skills development for career project targeting “To Be No.1 Club members” between 13 – 14 February and 19 – 20 February 2025 at Central Women Correctional Institution. On this occasion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, presided over the opening of the workshop.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nareerut Seerasarn, Faculty Member of the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, conducted the language training for inmates who are in the To Be No. 1 Club. The language skill should be able to benefit their career after released. This academic outreach project aligns with the mission to promote informal learning and establish a foundation for improving the quality of life for people in the society. It supports integrated development and the network creation of the university.
On 6 February 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) organized the Basic Life Support training for middle and senior high schoolers at St. Francis Xavier School, Nonthaburi.
As part of the St. Francis Xavier School’s Career Path activities project, this activity encouraged students to explore their interests and set goals for their future. The nursing profession plays a significant role in people’s lives and is crucial to the nation. The St. Francis Xavier School recognizes this importance and, therefore, invited faculty members from the School of Nursing of STOU to provide knowledge and demonstrate CPR techniques for emergency situations. This training also includes educational guidance for the nursing study and career pathways for the 30 participating students. The participants in the training received a certificate. The Basic Life Support Training was conducted by Asst. Prof. Dr. Pattaya Kaewsan and Asst. Prof. Dr. Premruetai Noimuenwai, Asst. Prof. Major Dr. Napaphen Jantacumma, and Mrs. Supattra Changsuphan.
