Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University by Rajamangalaphisek Education Park Division and School of Agriculture and Cooperatives joined hands with Kasetsart University in working on the Nonthaburi Sustainable Urban Agriculture Studies Center Project.
On 4 February 2024, the opening ceremony was held at Laddawan Garden in Nonthaburi, where Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, presided over. The event featured also workshops on urban agriculture space designing and salad vegetable plating moderated by Asst. Prof. Dr. Parichat Dittakit, Director of the STOU Rajamangalaphisek Education Park Division and Project Leader.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) joined the opening ceremony of the 49th University Games of Thailand – Nonsee Games on 27 January 2024 at Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus, where Miss. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of Higher Education Science Research and Innovation, presided over. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chatchapon Songsoonthornwong, Deputy Director of the STOU Office of Educational Services led the athletes to join the other 108 institutions at the ceremony.
Nonsee Games was organized under four main concepts: Green, Clean, Healthy, and Wellness. With a motto: “Diversity to Creativity for Sustainable Wellness,” the University Games, in addition to focusing on excellence in sports, also aims to provide Thai youth from different institutions with sustainable good health.
The competition was organized in 32 types of sports, competing for 361 gold medals, with 109 educational institutions participating, including 18,000 athletes and officials. The competition was held within the sports field of Kasetsart University Kamphaeng Saen Campus STOU sent one student-athlete to compete in table tennis that is Miss Hasanah Doloh from the School of Liberal Arts.
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.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, attended the grand opening of “The Magic of Morocco” Cuisine and Culture event held yesterday on 4 November 2023 at the Rattanakosin Hall The Sukosol Hotel, Bangkok. Held by The Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco & The Thai-Moroccan Friendship Association, the event immersed attendees in the rich tapestry of Moroccan gastronomy and traditions.
17 September 2023 – Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manit Jumpa, Distinguished Member of the University Council, Acting President, together with 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 enjoyed the Indonesian Cultural Night hosted by The Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia in Bangkok at Siam Pic-Ganesha Theatre at Siam Square One, Bangkok. The event attended by 300 guests featured various Indonesian cultural arts and performances.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kittipong Keatwatcharachai Acting Vice-President for Financial Affairs and University Assets
14 September 2023 – The Disabled Student Service Center of the Office of Educational Services, organized an orientation event for new students with disabilities, their parents and caretakers. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kittipong Keatwatcharachai, Acting Vice-President for Financial Affairs and University Assets, presided over the opening held at the Center located at STOU headquarters in Nonthaburi. There were over 30 participants. The event went live on Facebook Fanpage of the Disabled Student Service Center, for those who were unable to attend on-site.
Token of Appreciation presented to Ms. Wikanda Phiokradang
The event featured a speech by Ms. Wikanda Phiokradang, a wheelchair basketball player on the Thai national team. Ms. Wikanda shared her experience as an STOU student who majored in Liberal Arts.
The event aimed to provide students with disabilities with necessary information about self-study, academic support, service systems, and educational rights offered by the university, and also to be a networking platform for the students. The university also took this opportunity to study for the development of teaching and learning, and educational media for the disabled.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University currently has more than 470 students with disabilities enrolled in degree programs, making it the university with the highest number of disabled students in the country. At the latest Graduation Ceremony, there were 45 students with disabilities who graduated with a bachelor’s degree.
5 September 1978 marked the founding day of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) as it was the day that His Majesty King Bhumibol the Great signed the University Establishment Act. The Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University Act was then announced in the Royal Gazette on 21 September 1978 and came into force on 22 September 1978. Now 45 years old, STOU has expanded educational opportunities to meet the needs of individuals and Thai society, through lifelong learning and sustainable development.
On 5 September 2023, the university held various ceremonies in celebration of the 45th Anniversary. Prof. Dr. Wichit Srisa-an, Chairman of the University Council, and Founding President of STOU, presided over the Thaksinanupathan merit-making ceremony dedicated to His Majesty King Prajadhipok, Her Majesty Queen Rambhai Barni, and His Majesty King Bhumibol the Great. This was followed by a Buddhist Chanting Ceremony. Later in the evening, a dinner gala was held, during which the Samsorn Plaque of Honor awarding ceremony took place.
The Schools and Offices also hold special activities to celebrate this auspicious occasion including workshops, trainings, seminars, and open house events throughout the anniversary week.
Samsorn Plaque of Honor Offering CeremonyMusic in the GardenWorkshop on ” AI Trends and Adaptation for Changes in Distance Education”Symposium on “Digital Technology for Healthcare Recipient”Workshop on “Paper Sustainability with Origami Technique”STOU Chumphon RUN 2023
On 26 July 2023, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manit Jumpa, Distinguished Member of the University Council, Acting President, organized a ceremony in celebration of the 71st Birthday Anniversary of His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua at STOU headquarters in Nonthaburi. The ceremony was attended by the university faculty members and staff. The participants took the oath of allegiance to be good civil servants and signed the book of well-wishes for His Majesty the King’s Birthday Anniversary.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Director of the Office of Educational Technology, and Dr. Tejtasin Phiasai, Deputy Director of the Office of Computer Services joined the 2023 International Conference on Open and Innovative Education (ICOIE 2023) held by Hong Kong Metropolitan University during 3-7 July 2023.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan presented the paper titled “Need of smart learning resource management systems for supporting open online learning and lifelong learning” which was co-authored by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemmanat Mingsiritham.
The conference provided a platform for sharing quality research, effective practices and well-formulated views relevant to open and innovative education, focusing on the following areas.
Impacts of pandemic on online learning
AI/VR/AR/MR in education
Agile/blended/agile-blended learning
Engaging students and learning design
Pedagogical innovations
Academic/learning analytics
Innovations in curriculum and pedagogy
Open education/OERs/MOOCs
Gamification for learning
Educational technology
Social media and technology-mediated learning communities
The ICOIE2024 will be held during 3-5 July 2024 at Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong SAR, China.
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 2020-2021 on 24-25 June 2023. The graduates celebrated the joyous occasion at STOU Conference Hall (Aneknitat Building).
Sixteen thousand seven hundred and fifty-one students graduated in these two academic years, including 14,971 from Bachelor’s Degree level, 1,739 from Master’s Degree level, and 41 from Doctoral Degree level. Among them were four scholars who were awarded honorary doctorates including the following.
Prof. Dr. Bowonsak U-Wanno awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree in Public Administration
Mr. Pisan Boonphuk awarded Honorary Doctorate Degree in Philosophy (Information Science)
Mr. Wikit Suksamran awarded Honorary Master of Political Science (Politics and Governance)
Prof. Surapong Sothanasathien awarded Honorary Degree in Communication Arts
