Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and Nakhon Ratchasima Rajabhat University (NRRU) join hands in offering a Double-Degree Program on Political and Administrative Science and Laws.
The program will be offered to personnel from the local military and police agencies in Nakhon Ratchasima including the Second Army Area, the Provincial Police Region 3, Korat Royal Thai Air Force Base, and the Provincial Police Training Center Region 3. The students of the Double-Degree Program will graduate with degrees from both universities, a Master of Public Administration from NRRU and a Master of Laws from STOU.
An MOU in regard to the execution of the program was signed by all parties at NRRU on 9 November 2022. The ceremony was witnessed by Prof. Dr. Anek Laothamatas, Minister of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation, and Mr. Suwat Liptapanlop, Chairman of the NRRU University Council.
On 2-4 November 2022, a delegation of administrators from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) joined the 35th AAOU Annual Conference (AAOU2022) at the International Convention Center Jeju (ICCJEJU), South Korea. Hosted by Korea National Open University (KNOU), AAOU2022 was themed “Opening a New Path to Open University: Responding to Global Issues”
The STOU delegates included Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niranat Sansa, Dean of the School of Educational Studies; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Araya Prasertchai, Dean of the School of Health Science; Assoc. Prof. Krittika Jiwaluk, Director of the Office of Documentation and Information; Dr. Sarun Nakthanom, Director of the Office of Computer Services; and Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs.
There were also three lecturers from the university joining the AAOU2022 Conference to present their academic works including Asst. Prof. Major Dr. Napaphen Jantacumma, School of Nursing; Asst. Prof. Dr. Parichat Dittakit, School of Agriculture and Cooperatives; and Dr. Worrawit Nakpan, School of Health Science.
During the Conference, Dr. Niranat represented the university in receiving a certificate of appreciation from AAOU for the university’s contribution to the publishing of the Book of Open and Distance Education in Asia: Good Practices from the AAOU Members. The Book of ODE was a collaboration of 8 member universities of AAOU namely, Korea National Open University (KNOU), Open University Malaysia (OUM), Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), Open University of China (OUC), Open University of Japan (OUJ), Open University of Sri Lanka (OUSL), University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU, and Universitas Terbuka (UT). Edited by Prof. Dr. Tian Belawati, Former Rector of Universitas Terbuka. The Book of ODE is currently available on the AAOU official website or this link.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, together with Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), joined the Annual Conference of the Association of Southeast Asian Institutions of Higher Learning (ASAIHL) hosted by University of Warsaw, Poland, during 26-28 September 2022. The conference was held on the main theme “Bridges for Science and Education.”
ASAIHL Conference in Poland
During the trip, Dr. Gan and Mrs. Rattip made a study visit to the University of Warsaw in Warsaw and Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland, to learn and share experiences about the management of international collaboration and activities, to observe the operation of the universities, and to discuss the possibility to establish collaborative projects.
Study visit at the University of Warsaw and Jagiellonian University
The STOU administrators also had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call to the Royal Thai Embassy in Bern, Switzerland, to promote the education opportunity for Thai residents in the country through online learning at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.
On 1-5 August 2022, The Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI) and the Research University Network Thailand (RUN) organized the Thailand Research Expo 2022 at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre Central World.
Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn presided over the opening ceremony on 1 August 2022 at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre Central World where Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manit Jumpa, Distinguished Member of the University Council, Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), has the opportunity to present the report on the research project “Water, Life, Learning and Community Power: from Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan to Chao Phraya.”
The research project “Water, Life, Learning and Community Power: from Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan to Chao Phraya” is the study led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sajja Bunjongsiri from the STOU School of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The project was exhibited throughout five days of Thailand Research Expo 2022. On this occasion, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting Vice-President for Human Resources, Research, and General Administration represented STOU and received a certificate of participation from Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of the National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) during the closing ceremony of the Expo.
Moreover, STOU faculty members presented research works at the Expo on 5 August 2022 as follows:
The Development of the Interactive E-Tutorial System to Develop Problem-Solving Ability and Self-Regulation for Undergraduate Students in Open University by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thanathnuth Chatpakkarattana, Office of the Educational Technology;
Online Learning Communities Model to Enhance Knowledge Management in Research for Graduate Studies by Dr. Chutiwat Suwatthipong, Office of the Educational Technology;
Development of guidance activities using digital technology for self-development planning on education and career of students by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Niranat Sansa, School of Educational Studies; and
Model Development of Online Knowledge Center to Promote Necessary Skills in Industrial Establishment by Dr. Duangporn Sapluck and Assoc. Prof. Supanita Sudsawat.
The National Research Council of Thailand participated in the national fisheries exhibition: The 32nd Annual Pramong Nomklao Fair, showcasing 3 research findings. Among them was a project by STOU’s lecturers i.e. the development of THE SIAM FISH: ornamental fish hub.
THE SIAM FISH is a project of the Academic Center for Educational Communications and Technology, Office of Educational Technology, by Dr. Wachira Brahmawong (project leader), Dr. Pimprapa Phanphai, Dr. Suebwong Chuensombat, and Dr. Sirikanya Maneenil. It is an online platform aimed to be a central virtual market and knowledge hub for ornamental fish in Thailand.
The 32nd Annual Pramong Nomklao Fair was organized by Thailand’s Department of Fisheries together with the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital and Future Park Rangsit shopping mall during 1-10 July 2022 under the theme “Aquatic of Luck.”
On 13-15 July 2022, Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Director of the Office of Educational Technology and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemmanat Mingsiritham, Deputy Director of the Office of Educational Technology, virtually participated in the 2022 International Conference on Open and Innovative Education (ICOIE 2022) and presented a research work “Social Media and Learning during COVID-19.”
The ICOIE 2022 was hosted by Hong Kong Metropolitan University and took place as hybrid conference.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) held a medicine donation for Umphang Hospital, Tak province to help poor residents who have no access to health insurance.
On 15 July 2022, Dr. Boriboon Pinprayong, a lecturer from the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives represented STOU to deliver donated medicines to Umphang Hospital. The donation was accepted by Miss Thanchanok Homchuen, the hospital Psychologist. All donated medicines will be reexamined by the Pharmacist before dispensing to patients.
Umphang Hospital is the Community Hospital in Umphang district of Tak province. Out of 84,321 residents, 39,859 have no access to health insurance. Medicine donation will help the patients of Umphang Hospital and also nearby rural hospitals with drug supply issues.
The unused medicine donation campaign was carried out in June 2022 to raise awareness of sustainability and green university development among the university’s employees and students.
4 July 2022 – Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) donated panty hosts to Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute (SNMRI).
Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, together with Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs, led the team to make a donation of Recyclable panty hosts to Sirindhorn National Medical Rehabilitation Institute (SNMRI), which will be used in the making on artificial legs. The donation was accepted by Mr. Tawatchai Junsaard, Head of the Prosthetics and Orthotics Unit.
Under the advice of the Steering Committee for Green University Development of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, campaigns for recyclable and used items donations were constantly promoted to raise awareness of sustainability and green university development among the university’s employees and students. The campaign for panty hosts donation was carried out from May – June 2022.
On 29 June 2022, the School of Nursing, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, held a workshop on Leading Innovation through Nursing Education. The workshop aimed to be a platform to exchange knowledge regarding teaching methodologies in nursing education.
Professor Dr. Paul Ratanasiripong from Educational Leadership Department, California State University, gave lectures on “Innovative of Nursing Education in These & Next Era” and “Leading transforms Innovative Education to Nursing Services.” At the same workshop, participants joined group discussions on “How to apply innovation education to enhance excellent nursing services?”
29 June 2022 – Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) donated discarded lottery tickets to Wat Huai Mu Home for Children with Special Needs in Ratchaburi.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, together with Asst. Prof. Witoon Wongamart, Acting Director of the Department of Corporate Communication, and Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs, led the team to make a donation of discarded lottery tickets to Wat Huai Mu Home for Children with Special Needs in Ratchaburi, which will be used to produce flowers, decorative wreaths, and other crafts. The donation was accepted by Phra Chandra Sirakorn, Abbot of Wat Huai Mu.
Wat Huai Mu Home for Children with Special Needs currently looks after 35 kids. The crafts made from lottery tickets are sold and the income is used for the center’s operation.
Under the advice of the Steering Committee for Green University Development of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, a campaign for discarded lottery tickets donation was carried out from April-June 2022. The STOU staff and students from both main and regional campuses donated the tickets. The activity was aimed to raise awareness of sustainability and green university development among the university’s employees and students countrywide.
