Author: zomchay

The School of Health Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University organized White Coat Ceremony for STOU’s student who enrolled in the course of Public Health Work in the Community this year. The ceremony held at Phitayapat Building (Training Center) on 15 November 2024.

The White Coat Ceremony serves as a symbol for the public health profession, aimed at helping public health students recognize the importance of their professional roles and responsibilities, professional knowledge as well as moral and ethical qualities in accordance with the professional ethics of public health practitioners. On this occasion, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, presided over the ceremony, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warangkana Chankong,
Dean of the School of Health Science, who delivered the opening and welcoming speeches for the 182 students.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warangkana Chankong, Dean of School of the Health Science mentioned in her speech that the School of Health Science of STOU prides itself with modern distance education system in the field of Health Science. It is essential to produce graduates who meet professional standards, hold a recognized identity, and are trusted by both public and private sector employers. The School also supports learning activities and encourage students to participate in extracurricular activities, answering to the educational quality assessment indicators.

The School of Health Science is committed to producing students who achieve desired characteristics and educational philosophy. It organized activities that promote student awareness of their responsibilities in community health care,
which includes caring for patients physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually. The importance of self-awareness, moral values, and professional ethics were emphasized.

The School recognizes the significance of the Public Health Student White Coat Ceremony, as it is a tool to create awareness of professional roles and responsibilities, foster professional ethics, instill pride in the professional honor, and prepare students to become excellent public health professionals in the future.

The ceremony symbolizes the students’ readiness to serve their community and uphold the highest standards of healthcare practice.

“Congratulations STOU Students for The White Coat Ceremony”

On 6 November 2024, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs and Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs, welcomed a delegation from Beijing Open University (BOU), China. The delegates from BOU led by Prof. Dr. Zhao Jun, Vice-President visited STOU, to exchange teaching knowledge of the two universities. Faculty Members from the School of Educational Studies and School of Management Science took the opportunity to discuss academic cooperation with BOU.

On this occasion, the BOU team also visited the King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambhai Barni Documentation Center and
the Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC) to observe STOU media production in support of distance learning and exchange ideas about online teaching management. Moreover, they observed university printed media production at the Office of the University Press. The delegates concluded their visit at the STOU Thai Traditional Medicine Clinic, which is open to both STOU faculty and staff as well as the public.

On October 11, 2024, Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, welcomed representatives from the USDA Thailand Regional Agriculture Innovation Network (RAIN), also known as Winrock International Institute for Agricultural Development. Led by Mr. William Sparks, Thailand Country Director/Chief of Party, the delegation signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with STOU. The MOU signing ceremony took place at the STOU Administration Building.

Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, signed the MOU with Mr. William Sparks, witnessed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Janenarong Tiensawang, Dean of the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, along with Faculty Members and the Winrock team.

This signing establishes a cooperative network with Winrock International, a leading internationally recognized organization in social development, agriculture, and environmental conservation. Their goals include creating opportunities for
the economically disadvantaged, conserving natural resources, and developing sustainable agriculture.

This collaboration focuses on research in climate-smart innovations and information technology in Nonthaburi Province, aiming to increase productivity, reduce costs, and increase farmers’ income. It also includes academic services and the transfer of climate-smart technology and innovations to farmers in Nonthaburi Province and neighboring areas.

After the ceremony session, the WINROCK team visited the Urban Agricultural Learning Center in STOU, led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Buntarika Nuntha, Deputy Dean of the School of Agriculture and Cooperative and Asst. Prof. Dr. Parichat Dittakit, Director of the Department of Rajamangalaphisek Education Park and Faculty Members of the School of Agriculture and Cooperative.

On 10 October 2024, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) singned a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Mr. Nopphol Buathongsri, Board of OPTNET (Thailand) company. This partnership aims to develop a Digital Media Dissemination System for Distance Education at STOU, known as the “STOU Media System.” The MOU signing ceremony took place at the Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC).

This agreement seeks to develop the STOU Media System to distribute and promote educational media for STOU’s distance learning programs. The system will provide students, learners, and the public with access to digital media services and a variety of open learning resources. These resources can be used for learning, skill development, gaining experience, and lifelong personal development.