Born To Be Wild

Author: zomchay

  • Biography and Works of Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an

    In memory of our highly esteemed Founder
    of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

    Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an was born on Saturday, December 22, 1934, in Sanamchan Sub-district, Ban Pho District, Chachoengsao Province. He started his primary education at local public schools near his home, namely Wat Tha Sa-an School, Prakob Ratbumrung School, and Wat Klang Bang Pakong School. He completed his secondary education at Bang Pakong Bavornvitayayon School. Due to his father’s death when he was in the third grade, he had to help his mother with her business and take care of the family while continuing his studies from elementary school to high school. With his parents’ strong belief in the importance of education, he was able to continue his education at Suankularb Wittayalai School in Bangkok and then at the Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University. With his determination to become a teacher, he then continued his education at the Faculty of Education. As a provincial child who came to study in Bangkok, he saw the differences in educational opportunities that were caused by various constraints. Therefore, he continued his study for a master’s degree and doctorate in educational administration at the University of Minnesota and a university management certificate from Akron University in Ohio, United States of America. This led to the development of his ideas and ideals to work for equality and expanding educational opportunities.

             Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an held many important senior management positions, including Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of University Affairs, Secretary-General of the Office of Civil Service Commission and President of the universities. He has made many contributions to the development of education in Thailand, including founding three universities in three regions of the country, namely Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, a full-fledged distance learning university, Suranaree University of Technology and Walailak University. He has also served as the chairman of the boards of many universities. He entered politics with serving as Minister of Education, Senator, Member of Parliament, and Chairman of the Education Committee of the House of Representatives.

    Throughout his career, Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an has made significant contributions to the country. He has created nine innovations in education and development that have had a positive impact on human resource development in the country. The areas of innovation are volunteer camps, institutional research, open and distance learning, brain stimulation demonstration, prison university, autonomous university, cooperative education, framework for professional standards in teaching and educational support for higher education, and leadership framework.

             Due to his great achievements in the development of education in Thailand, Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an received 16 honorary doctorates from universities in Thailand and abroad, and 32 awards from various organizations both national and international. In 2009, he was honored as the “Father of Cooperative Education in Thailand” and in 2021, he was awarded the Dusit Mala Medal, the Arts and Letters Medal (Education), by His Majesty the King.

             Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an passed away on Saturday, September 30, 2023, at the age of 88 years, 9 months, and 8 days. His cause of death is presumed to be heart disease.

  • Sustainability Awareness-Raising Campaigns

    Sustainability Awareness-Raising Campaigns

    On 16 January 2024, Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, representing Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, made several donations following the sustainability awareness-raising campaigns.

    Old desk calendars were flooded in because of the new year. They were donated to the Educational Technology Center for the Blind, Foundation for the Blind in Thailand under the Royal Patronage of H.M. the Queen. The donation was accepted by Ms. Chanidapa Petchrak, the Director of the Center. The old desk calendars will be used to produce Braille-printed instructional materials for the visually impaired.

    Used towels and other animal care necessities were donated to the Home for Handicapped Animals Foundation in Pakkret, Nonthaburi. There are over 200 handicapped cats and dogs under the care of the Foundation. There is also another animal shelter run by the foundation called “Dog & Cat Café” in Bang Len, Nakhon Pathom, housing over 800 animals.

    There is currently a campaign for non-recyclable waste which will be later donated to N15 Technology, which runs a ‘waste to worth’ campaign. The non-recyclable waste will be handled properly for use in the making of refused-derived fuel. Those interested can contact STOU’s Department of International Affairs at 0 2504 7173 for more information.

  • STOU Librarians receive awards at PULINET2024

    STOU Librarians receive awards at PULINET2024

    Congratulations to STOU Librarians who received awards at the 14th PULINET Conference, which was held on 10-12 January 2024 at Mae Fah Luang University, on the theme “Better Libraries: Honour Yesterday, Celebrate Today, Embrace Tomorrow.”

    Miss Chollada Hong-ngam and Mrs. Kanlayanee Supradit received an Excellent Award for their poster presentation on “Local Multiple Intelligences: Creative and Sustainable Knowledge for the Community.”

    Miss Jiranat Anantachai received a Good award for her oral presentation on “The Development of ‘Nong Sabai LINE Bot’ Chatbot.”

    Miss Ratchakon Kongcharoen and Miss Duangrat Deekua received an Honorary award for their oral presentation on “STOU Identity Podcast Production to Promote Lifelong Learning”

  • MOU between GDOU and STOU signed

    MOU between GDOU and STOU signed

    9 January 2024 – The virtual MOU signing ceremony between Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and Guangdong Open University (GDOU) was held via Zoom meeting, where Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, STOU Acting President, and Prof. Dr. Liu Wenqing, President of GDOU, signed the MOU. The ceremony was witnessed by executives from both universities.

    STOU and GDOU were established in the same year which is 1978. Both universities prioritize distance education, flexible educational service mechanisms, and the development of innovation and digital systems. The MOU signed emphasizes not only academic but also cultural exchanges.

  • STOU welcomes Shanghai Open University executives in MOU Signing Ceremony

    STOU welcomes Shanghai Open University executives in MOU Signing Ceremony

    On 24-25 November 2024, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manit Jumpa, Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, welcomed a delegation from Shanghai Open University (SOU), China. Led by Prof. Junjiang Lou, Vice Chairman of the University Council, Shanghai Open University executives attended the MOU Signing Ceremony between the two universities and visited STOU headquarters and our regional center in Phet Buri.

    The MOU Signing Ceremony was held at the Executive Meeting Room of the Administration Building in STOU Headquarters in Nonthaburi. The event was honored by the presence of Vice-Presidents, Deans, and Directors of both universities. Signed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manit Jumpa and Prof. Junjiang Lou, the MOU focuses on cooperation in digital technology and educational innovation to enhance STOU’s strategy and meet the university’s Vision: “STOU strives to be a world-leading open university utilizing technology and educational innovation to provide lifelong education for all.

    After the ceremony, the delegates attended a knowledge-sharing session where STOU lecturers gave concise presentations about current technology and innovations employed at STOU. Assoc. Prof. Warisa Romsaiyud from the School of Science and Technology spoke on “STOU-ASFER: Automatic Student Facial Expression Recognition Model.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanathnuth Chatpakkarattana gave a presentation on “Development of Digital Learning Environment.” Asst. Prof. Dt. Pantipa Amorinrit and Dr. Wachira Prammawong presented their work on “AI and Digital Education Innovations for Teacher Development.” Dr. Patthanan Bootchuy talked about the “Design of Online Courses.”

    The guests enjoyed a campus tour at the King Prajadhipok and Queen Rambhai Barni Documentation Center and the Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC). They also visited STOU Phet Buri to observe regional operations on the following day.

  • Continuing sustainability campaigns at STOU

    Continuing sustainability campaigns at STOU

    Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University has carried out continuing campaigns to raise sustainability awareness and to promote a green campus and sustainable university. Among them were the upcycling and recycling of discarded lotteries and UHT cartons.

    On 13 November 2023, Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation and International Affairs, led the team to make donations of discarded lotteries and UHT cartons that were donated to the concerned organizations.

    The 3rd donation of discarded lotteries was made to Wat Huai Mu Home for Children with Special Needs in Ratchaburi. Phra Chandra Sirakorn, Abbot of Wat Huai Mu, accepted the donation. There are approximately 50 children under the care of Wat Huai Mu. They will use the donated lotteries to create craft works for sale: flowers, decorative wreaths, fans, and kratong. The income from the sale will be used for the execution of Wat Huai Mu Home for Children with Special Needs.

    This year, the university started a new campaign on UHT carton separation. The staff and students eagerly responded to the campaign and delivered used UHT cartons to STOU Headquarters. The donation was made on the same day to Eco Friendly Thai Company Limited in Banpong, Ratchaburi.

    The cartons will enter a proper recycling method. The multiple layers of different materials will be separated after the paper layer is roughly pulped. The separated materials will be processed and reused for maximum benefit. The combination of plastic and foil or paper pulp produces eco-block and eco-plastic wood. They also produce finished products like student desks and chair sets, which will be donated to the Rajaprajanugroh Foundation Under Royal Patronage. The recycled paper productions include recycled paper boxes, tissue paper, and plain A4 paper, which are donated to the School for the Blinds.

    On this occasion, the university and Eco Friendly Thai discussed cooperative measures for sustainability projects in promoting and supporting learning management and research and development on value-added waste management to reach international standards. STOU hopes to be a part of a positive change that inspires our community to work towards sustainable goals together.

  • MOU Signing between STOU and Universiti Teknologi MARA

    MOU Signing between STOU and Universiti Teknologi MARA

    On 26 October 2023, Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting President for Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation and International Affairs, and Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs represented the university at the Signing Ceremony of the MOU between Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM).

    The MOU Signing Ceremony between STOU and UiTM was held at UiTM headquarters in Selangor, Malaysia. The MOU was signed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manit Jumpa, STOU Acting President, and Professor Ts. Dr. Haryani Haron, UiTM Assistant Vice Chancellor. It was witnessed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting President for Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation and International Affairs and Norizan Anwar, Senior Lecturer of the College of Computing, Informatics and Mathematics.

    The two parties discussed collaboration between the STOU School of Liberal Arts and UiTM College of Computing, Informatics and Mathematics, and looked into the possibility of expanding collaboration into Student Community Service. The delegates also shared knowledge regarding UI GreenMetric World University Rankings.

    This MOU signing marked the continuation of cooperation with Malaysia’s leading university in digital technology and educational innovation, to enhance the quality of education, personnel, and research that meet the university’s strategy to be “a world’s leading open university utilizing technology and educational innovation to provide lifelong education for all.”

  • STOU faculty members win awards at ICDBSE2023

    STOU faculty members win awards at ICDBSE2023

    Congratulations to faculty members of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University for receiving awards at the International Conference of Digital Business, Society and Economy (ICDBSE2023) held at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during 24-25 October 2023.

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pithak Srisuksai, School of Economics, received Best Paper Award for presenting the work “The Impact of FINTECH on the Performance of Financial Institutions in Malaysia and Thailand.”

    Assistant Professor Dr. Khajitpan Makaratat Kritpolviman, School of Science and Technology, received Best Presenter Award for presenting the work “Cyber-Physical System Architecture for Collaborative Learning in Industrial Technology.”

  • STOU joins ICDBSE2023 in Malaysia

    STOU joins ICDBSE2023 in Malaysia

    Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manit Jumpa, Acting President, together with Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation and International Affairs, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sungworn Ngudkratoke, Director of the Institute for Research and Development, Asst. Prof. Dr. Poom Juasiripukdee, Dean of the School of Science and Technology, and Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs joined the International Conference of Digital Business, Society and Economy (ICDBSE2023) at Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, during 24-25 October 2023.

    Additionally, faculty members from STOU presented the papers at the conference under the theme “Explore the Possibilities in a Connected World,” including the following.

    Sub-theme: Digital Business

    • “The Impact of FINTECH on the Performance of Financial Institutions in Malaysia and Thailand” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pithak Srisuksai, School of Economics

    Sub-theme: Digital Society

    • “Current Trends in Southeast Asian Digital Society: Reflections and Perceptions from Thailand and Malaysia” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sita Yiemkuntitavorn, School of Educational Studies
    • “Cyber-Physical System Architecture for Collaborative Learning in Industrial Technology” by Assistant Professor Dr. Khajitpan Makaratat Kritpolviman, School of Science and Technology
    • “Modified E-Learning Dynamics Matrix for Student Learning Process Assessment” by

    ICDBSE 2023 was co-organized by APU (Malaysia), STOU (Thailand), Chitkara University (India), and The bbw Hochschule-University of Applied Sciences (Germany).

  • STOU joins UNESCO UIL International Conference in Shanghai

    STOU joins UNESCO UIL International Conference in Shanghai

    Asst. 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 attended the International Conference on Promoting Lifelong Learning in Higher Education: From Institutional Strategies to Practical Implementation,” convened by UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning (UIL) and Shanghai Open University on 18-22 October 2023 in Shanghai, China.

    The conference aims to harness the potential of HEIs to foster sustainable societies through lifelong learning, empowering them to effectively address the diverse needs of learners and meet the dynamic demands of the modern workforce and sustainability of development. Comprised of Plenary Session, Presidents’ Forum, and Round table Meeting, it placed particular emphasis on the vital role of HEIs in advancing a culture of lifelong learning including reskilling and upskilling, cultivating future skills, offering flexible learning pathways, using learning technologies, promoting sustainable development and establishing robust partnerships with the private sector and community organizations.

    The conference gathered over 260 participants from 35 countries, including university leaders, policymakers, experts, scholars and researchers.