On 14 February 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) hosted the AI for Teaching, Assessing and Learning Workshop at STOU headquarters in Nonthaburi. On this occasion, Asst. Prof. Dr. Seksan Amatmotri, 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 focused on AI for teaching and AI for research. The main topics included Lecturers on AI for Teaching and Assessing and Learning, Potential of AI for Research and AI Tools for Teaching and Learning. The workshop offered knowledge exchange on customizing AI content to suit learners’ interests, supporting personalized learning and lifelong education. The workshop served as a guideline for developing capabilities and enhancing digital technology and artificial intelligence tool skills for online teaching among STOU’s faculty members, focusing on Study Plan A2 and A3 teaching methods. The participants would be able to effectively implement AI in content development and research to enhance teaching and learning efficiency.
On 11 February 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) organized the ceremony of Makha Bucha Day, which would fall on 12 February 2025. Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, STOU Acting President, chaired the ceremony. The faculty members and staff of STOU joined activities, including an alms offering ceremony where dried food was given to nine monks and a Buddhist sermon listening, aiming to make wishes for the participants themselves and those they love, as well as to brush up their minds.
Congratulations to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aree Cheevakasemsook, Faculty Member from the School of Nursing, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, who has been qualified as an AUN-QA Assessor at Programme Level Version 4.0, announced on 7 January 2025.
On 24 January 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Titipat Iamniran, Acting Assistant to the President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) delivered donated medicines, medical supplies, clothes, school shoes, dolls to Deputy Director of Umphang Hospital, Mrs. Nudnad Wongcharoen.
STOU collaborated with the Thai Volunteer Service (TVS) to sort the donated medicines and medical supplies before delivering them to Umphang Hospital. These activities align with STOU’s commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability.
Umphang Hospital, a district hospital in Umphang district, serves over 94,000 patients, of whom 44,000 lack healthcare coverage. By donating these medicines to Umphang Hospital, STOU aims to support both the local community and hospitals in Umphang district. This initiative helps ensure that valuable medications are utilized effectively and reach those in need, preventing waste.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana graciously presided over the Graduation Ceremony of Sukhothai Thammathriat Open University for the Academic Year 2022 on 18-19 January 2025. The graduates celebrated the joyous occasion at STOU Conference Hall (Aneknitat Building), including 2,692 from Bachelor’s Degree level, 221 from Master’s Degree level and 17 from Doctoral Degree level. Among them were 4 graduated students who got first class honors.
His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Her Majesty Queen Suthida Bajrasudhabimalalakshana granted a royal audience to Dr. Nirun Jongwutiwes, Acting Chairman of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) University Council and the university Administrators, where they presented His Majesty with an Honorary Doctorate in Public Administration, specializing in Local Administration, along with the academic regalia at Amphorn Satharn Villa on 7 January 2025.
His Majesty King RAMA X has a firm determination to ensure national stability and unity, fostering love and harmony, and improving the people’s quality of life. He continues to preserve and build upon the royal aspirations of his father, providing royal initiatives for various projects. For example, the Royal Voluntary Project has been implemented across all levels of government agencies, both central and regional. These projects and royal duties encompass all aspects of public administration, including state administration, education, medicine and public health, agriculture, natural resources and environment, foreign affairs, and social development. These efforts aim to alleviate suffering and promote the wellbeing of people in various localities throughout the country, as well as to advance the nation’s development.
Due to flooding in the southern region of Thailand during the past month, many residents experienced shortages of essential supplies in the area. Subsequently, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) opened a donation center for essential items to be distributed to the Great Flooding Area. On 17 December 2024, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khajornsak Sitthi, Director of the Office of Educational Services, distributed donated items to STOU students and community leaders in three southern border provinces of Thailand through Thailand Post delivery services.
On December 22, 2024, a merit-making ceremony was held at Wichit Phakee Sathan to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the passing of Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, the Founding President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU). The ceremony was co-organized by the Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-an Foundation, the Thai Association for Cooperative Education (TACE), the Association for Institutional Research and Higher Education Development (AIRHED), and the Sukhothai Thammathirat Association under the Patronage of H.R.H. Crown Prince Maha Vajiralongkorn, including the School of Nursing of STOU. During the ceremony, honorary plaques were presented to recognize the beneficial contributions to society made by Nursing Alumni.
In 1980, STOU successfully established the School of Health Sciences, which was considered a challenging field for practical training in distance education. Afterward, in the 2005 academic year, the University Council approved the establishment of the School of Nursing and admitted its first batch of Master of Nursing Science students.
The success of the distance learning program in nursing science is attributed to the unwavering support of nursing experts since its inception. In recognition of their exceptional contributions, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tong-In Wongsothorn, President of the Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-an Foundation, presented honorary plaques to 10 distinguished Nursing Alumni who have significantly benefited society and possess exemplary qualifications.
Nursing Alumni who received Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-an Foundation’s honorary plaques
1. Mrs. Jaroonsri Panyadee, Director of Na Bua Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Udon Thani
STOU education background: Bachelor of Nursing Science Program of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2004
Awards:
1. Valuable Person for National Health Security, NHSO Health Region 8 of 2009
2. Outstanding Civil Servant (Golden Garuda) Award of 2012
3. Outstanding Nurse Petch Kasalong Award of 2012
4. Outstanding Public Health Administrator with Distinguished Merit Award of 2018
5. Outstanding Personnel (Good Person of Primary Care) Regional Level, Nursing Category of 2014
2.Mrs. Jidapa Rodphothong, Head of Surgery and Anesthesia Nursing Department, Pak Kret Hospital, Nonthaburi
STOU education background: Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2016
Award:
Role Model of the Year in Outstanding Medical and Public Health Category of 2019
3. Mrs. Pranee Mahapoonpiti, Head Nurse, Tha Yang Hospital, Phetchaburi
STOU education background: Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2016
Awards:
1. Outstanding Civil Servant, Phetchaburi Provincial Public Health Office of 2019
2. Honorary Pin Class 4 for Volunteer Spirit and Dedication to Emergency Medical Services from National Institute for Emergency Medicine
3. Quality Person in Administration, Kaeng Krachan Hospital of 2021
4. Outstanding Person Award “Think Good, Do Good, Be Happy” from Tha Yang Hospital Ethics Club of 2023
4. Mrs. Piyanat Neamtanom, Director of Nong Phak Bung Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Phetchabun
STOU education background: Bachelor of Nursing Science Program in 2006 and Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2020
Awards:
Honorary Award for TO BE NUMBER ONE Community Leader from Princess Ubolratana Rajakanya Sirivadhana Barnavadi of 2024
5. Mr. Fa-is Walohtae, Faculty Member, Faculty of Nursing, Princess of Naradhiwas University
STOU education background: Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2021
Awards:
1. Outstanding Nurse, Smart Nurse Category from Phuket Nurses Club of 2018
2. “Value of the Land” Award, Individual Category from Council of Social Benefactors of Thailand of 2021
3. “Top Volunteer Award 2021” from Social Activity Consulting Center of 2021
4. Outstanding Teacher in Research, Academic Year 2024 on National Nurses Day, Faculty of Nursing, Princess of Naradhiwas University
6. Mr. Pakpoom Saiyud,Director of Ban Ku Sot Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Sisaket Province
STOU education background: Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2022
Awards:
1. Good Person of Epidemiology in Community Surveillance from Disease Prevention and Control Office 7 of 2014
2. Outstanding Nurse in Primary Care/Community Health Service System, Sisaket Province of 2014
3. Outstanding National Public Service Innovation Award (Excellence Award) from OPDC of 2017
4. President of Thailand Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital Nurses Association of 2016 – 2022
5. Thailand Nursing Council Committee Member of 2018 – 2022
7. Mrs. Rusamee Luechai,Head Nurse, Rong Kham Hospital, Kalasin
STOU education background: Bachelor of Nursing Science Program in 1995 and Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2016
Awards:
1. Outstanding Nurse, Kalasin of 2010
2. Good Person of Public Health, Kalasin of 2015
3. Outstanding Nurse of Ministry of Public Health, Princess Bunchiradhorn (Jumbala) Chudadhuj Scholarship of 2016
4. Outstanding Care Manager, Ministry of Public Health, 2020
8. Mrs. Ladawan Chanchang, Head of PUI Ward and Head of Nursing Research and Development, Trat Hospital
STOU education background: Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2014
Awards:
1. Good Person of Trat Hospital of 2024
2. Outstanding Nurse in Nursing Service, Research and Development, Nursing Administration Category from Nurses Association of Thailand, Eastern Branch of 2024
9. Mr. Suphathagoon Koedkieo, Professional Nurse, Academic Support and Service Group, Wichian Buri District Public Health Office, Phetchabun
STOU education background: Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2022
Awards:
1. Valuable Quality Personnel of Phetchabun Provincial Public Health Office of 2023
2. Outstanding Personnel in Professional Nursing Category, Wichian Buri District Public Health Office of 2024
3. Outstanding Nurse in Primary Care Practice 2024, Nursing Service Development Network, Health Region 2
4. First Prize in Academic Work Contest, Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Category, Thailand Public Health Club Academic Conference of 2023
10. Mrs. Suchinda Kongneam, Head of Family Practice Department, Khok Lo Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, Trang
STOU education background: Bachelor of Nursing Science Program and Master of Nursing Science of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in 2005
Awards:
1. Outstanding Civil Servant (Golden Garuda) Award of 1995
2. Outstanding Public Health Personnel, Health Station Category and Ethics Category, Trang Provincial Public Health Office of 2015
3. Outstanding Care Manager, Provincial Level from Department of Health, Ministry of Public Health of 2023
The event concluded with a panel discussion on “The Sustainable Operations of the Four Organizations,” aiming to explore strategies for ensuring the long-term success of each organization and fulfilling the enduring legacy of Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-an.
On 9 December 2024, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), led a university delegation to donate 6,000 bottles of drinking water to the Royal Thai Army Radio and Television (TV5), which would be distributed to the Great Flooding Area in the South of Thailand.
In addition, the STOU’s Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Phetchaburi and groups distributed a huge donation of essential items to the Special Forces Training Company, which would be another channel to distribute to the Great Flooding Area
From 19-23 November 2024, Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), led a delegation of researchers and staff to the 2024 OU5 Meeting in Manila, Philippines, hosted by the University of the Philippines Open University.
The purpose of the meeting was to foster collaboration among the five ASEAN open universities (known as OU5) in the areas of distance learning and research. The member universities include Hanoi Open University (HOU), Vietnam; Open University Malaysia (OUM), Malaysia; University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Philippines; Universitas Terbuka (UT), Indonesia; and Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU). The host institution for the meeting rotates among the member institutions.
The researchers from STOU who attended this year meeting were Assoc. Prof. Gan Chanyawudhiwan (Office of Educational Technology), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pithak Srisuksai (School of Economics), Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anothai Ngamvichaikit (School of Management Science), Asst. Prof. Dr. Songlak Sakulwichitsintu (School of Liberal Arts), and Dr. Supamas Chumkaew (Office of Registration, Records and Evaluation.
The 2024 OU5 researches include the following topics:
Technology Trends in Education: Nano Learning, Authentic Online Assessment, Gamification, Blockchain and Others (and How AI Will Impact These Technologies)
Open University Infrastructure for a Sustainable Future: A Design in View of Fulfillment of SDG 11
Roles of ASEAN Open Universities in Enhancing Entrepreneurship and Global Presence
Roles of Open Universities in STEM Education (Way Forward with a Focus on the State of Gender Equality in ASEAN)
Student-Lecturer Ratio as a Parameter of Quality in OFDL Context (What Are the Factors that Determine the Quality of Open Universities?)
The meeting was attended by 35 participants, including Presidents, OU5 coordinators, and researchers from the five universities. The 2025 meetings are scheduled for April in Penang, Malaysia, and October in Phuket, Thailand.
