The Graduate Studies Office of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) organized the 15th STOU National Research Conference on 25 November 2025. Held in a virtual format via Microsoft Teams and broadcast via Facebook Live, the event served as a major platform for graduate students, faculty, and researchers to disseminate their scholarly work to the public.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thaweewat Wattanakulcharoen, President of STOU, presided over the opening ceremony. A key highlight was the presentation of certificates for Outstanding and Highly Commended Thesis Awards for 2025, honoring a total of 26 exceptional research projects.
The conference featured a keynote session titled “Emerging Technologies in a Transitioning World: Towards Ethical Sustainability,” delivered by two distinguished experts:
Associate Professor Dr. Thanachart Numnonda, Director of the IMC Institute.
Professor Dr. Panita Wannapiroon, Head of Information and Communication Technology for Education, King Mongkut’s University of Technology North Bangkok.
Held annually, the STOU National Research Conference aims to tangibly elevate the quality of national education and research. It plays a crucial role in the academic journey of graduate students, particularly those in Master’s Degree (Plan A) programs, as presenting at this forum fulfills a vital requirement for graduation.
The conference serves several strategic functions:
Public Dissemination: Providing a stage for scholars nationwide to publish and present beneficial findings.
Multidisciplinary Coverage: Spanning Humanities and Social Sciences, Science and Technology, and Health Sciences.
Knowledge Exchange: Encouraging academic debate and sharing advancements to build strong professional networks.
A total of 121 research projects passed the rigorous evaluation process, resulting in 116 articles presented across three main clusters:
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) has reinforced its commitment to digital inclusivity by collaborating with Microsoft to host the “AI for Social Impact” forum as part of the “STOU for All” initiative.
On 21 November 2025, at the Phitayaphat Building, STOU, the university’s executive team, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thaweewat Wattanakulcharoen (President), Asst. Prof. Dr. Karn Boonsiri (Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Networking and Special Affairs), and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamolrat Intaratat (Director of the Research Center of Communication and Development Knowledge Management: CCDKM) presided over the opening ceremony.
The event featured key representatives from leading digital and international organizations, including:
Ms. Supahrat Juramongkol, AI Skilling Lead at Microsoft (Thailand)
Dr. Sithorn Kulradathorn, Acting Director of Policy and Strategy at the Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA)
Mr. Ruhimat Soerakoesoemah, Director at the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP).
The forum included expert sessions from Mr. Thanathip Damthip and Asst. Prof. Dr Pimprapa Phanphai (Acting Assistant to the President), who presented the “STOU for All” framework to representatives from the social sector.
Throughout the day, over 400 participants engaged in hands-on learning with Microsoft Copilot, exploring how to design social projects and innovations using AI. The event highlighted a shared goal of preparing the social sector workforce to be 80% AI-Ready, ensuring that digital technology is accessible to all.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) met with the Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Army to strengthen their partnership and expand the university’s network. The collaboration aims to upgrade the educational qualifications of Army personnel through undergraduate programs, while also providing 12,000 bottles of drinking water to support flood victims in Southern Thailand.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU, led a delegation of university executives—including Asst. Prof. Dr. Karn Boonsiri, Asst. Prof. Satawat Doungpan, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Pawin Chinachoti—to meet with General Chaiphreuk Duangprapas, Army Chief-of-Staff, at the Royal Thai Army Headquarters.
The primary objective of the meeting was to discuss educational development for Army personnel, particularly those stationed on the front lines and in border areas. Key highlights of the discussion included:
Undergraduate Degrees: Providing accessible pathways for personnel to earn bachelor’s degrees while on active duty.
Postgraduate Advancement: Personnel interested in Master’s or Doctoral degrees can benefit from credit transfers to pursue further studies in relevant fields.
Flexible Learning: STOU’s curriculum is specifically designed to meet the needs of working professionals. Personnel can study alongside their official duties with 24-hour access to knowledge resources via the e-Learning system.
This collaboration aligns with the university’s mission and the Ministry of Defence’s policies to enhance the quality of human resources within the military. By providing sustainable access to higher education, the partnership aims to improve the efficiency of Army operations and contribute positively to the development of the nation.
In response to the severe flooding currently affecting Southern Thailand, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thaweewat Wattanakulcharoen, on behalf of the university, donated 12,000 bottles of STOU drinking water to the Royal Thai Army.
The Army will act as the disaster relief center to distribute the water to affected citizens and provide support to the officials and volunteers working on the front lines of the relief efforts.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) co-hosted The International Conference for Health Professionals (ICHP) 2025 with The University of Philippines Open University (UPOU), Philippines, and Universitas Padjadjaran, Indonesia. On 17-19 November 2025, The hybrid conference took place at STOU Headquarters in Nonthaburi, Thailand, and virtually via Zoom.
The conference was under the Theme: “Innovative and Sustainable Health Practices Across Diverse Global Settings”.
On the Pre-Conference Day, Asst. Prof. Dr. Songlak Sakulwichitsintu, Vice-President for Research, Innovation, Information Technology and International Affairs of STOU, greeted the participants upon their arrivals at Seminar Building 1. Prof. Dr. Rizky Abdulah, Vice Rector for Research, Collaboration, and Marketing at Universitas Padjadjaran, welcomed the participants and colleagues from the partner universities. The pre-conference activities included 2 talks and an open forum.
At the Pre-conference Talk 1, Prof. Dr. Nur Atik, Director of Research and Community Services at Universitas Padjadjaran (UnPad), discussed the role of Higher Health Institutions in shaping sustainable health practices.
For Pre-conference Talk 2, Prof. Dr. Olga Riklikienė, (onsite), Professor at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Faculty of Nursing, explored the use of immersive open pedagogies in nursing education.
An open forum followed the presentations, allowing participants to raise questions, exchange insights, and further deepen the discussion.
On the opening day, 18 November 2025, during the opening ceremony, Assoc. Prof. Dr Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU, delivered the opening message, emphasising the importance of the discussions to be held throughout the conference.
Assoc. Prof. Finaflor F. Taylan, Dean of the UPOU Faculty of Management and Development Studies, also gave her opening remarks. She highlighted that the joint leadership of the three partner universities reflects a strong commitment to collaborative action in advancing sustainable healthcare systems. She encouraged participants to reflect on the guiding truth that health is a right, not a privilege.
Prof. Dr. Joane V. Serrano, Chancellor of UP Open University, led the formal declaration of the opening of ICHP 2025. She reiterated that the conference, grounded in its theme, provides a space to reflect on and reimagine ways to build innovative and sustainable health systems.
During the morning session of Day 1, Prof. Dr. Nur Atik, Director for Research and Community Services at Universitas Padjadjaran, presented the conference rationale, providing context for the day’s discussions.
This was followed by a keynote address from Prof. Dr. Olga Riklikienė, Professor at The Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, which spoke on Sustainable Nursing Education Using Innovation and E-Conscious Strategies to Prepare Global Health Professionals.
Continuing the session, Prof. Dr. Sheila R. Bonito, Dean of the University of the Philippines Manila College of Nursing, delivered Plenary Session 1 on Building Strong Leaders for Transformative Healthcare, emphasizing the critical role of investing in nursing education and leadership.
The ICHP Poster Gallery Session followed by the plenary session. This dedicated space showcases key research outputs, innovations, and insights contributed by participating scholars and institutions. The poster gallery offers attendees an opportunity to explore diverse perspectives and engage with emerging ideas in the field of health and education.
The second day was filled with dynamic activities, including keynote addresses, panel presentations, PechaKucha sessions, poster presentations, and engaging parallel sessions focused on innovation and sustainability in global health.
Professor Emeritus Prasit Watanapa, M.D. of the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University of Thailand, delivered the second keynote address on Digital Health, Green Systems, and Community-Centered Approaches for Resilient and Equitable Healthcare, offering an insightful overview of Health Innovations and Sustainable Practices.
During the closing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Myra D. Oruga, ICHP Program Committee Chair, wrapped up the event with a thoughtfully articulated synthesis that highlighted the key insights and emerging themes from the conference sessions. She emphasized how ICHP 2025 underscored that community empowerment is essential to long-term resilience and how it showcased the value of international and institutional partnerships in strengthening global health. The conference provided a clear roadmap for advancing health education, research, and workforce development.
An awarding ceremony followed to recognize exemplary contributions presented during the conference, including the Best Poster, Best Paper, and Best Oral Presentation.
The Best Poster Award was awarded to Dr. Javeson Roy Batuto for his poster entitled “Developing a Patient-Centered Core Framework in a Medical Tourism Facility Using the SERVQUAL Model.”
The Best Paper Award was presented to the team of Dr. Nichel Marquez, Dr. Julius Lecciones, John Ubalde, RN, and Ms. Evelyn Joson for the study “Performance of CAD-AI and Human Reading in Chest X-Ray Screening for Tuberculosis: Evidence from Urban Active Case Finding in Metro Manila, Philippines.”
The Best Oral Presentation Award was given to Ms. Sheena Kate Da-o for her study “Unraveling the Unheard Stories of Nurses on Extended Shifts.”
Assoc. Prof. Rita Ramos, delivered the closing remarks, highlighting the history of the ICHP, and extended her heartfelt gratitude to all the teams and partners. The next ICHP was proudly announced to be hosted by Universitas Padjadjaran in Indonesia.
On 8 December 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Public Health. The MOU Signing Ceremony was held at the Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Public Health.
The MOU was signed by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU, and Dr. Somlerk Jeungsmarn, Director General of the ministry. Among the ceremony witnesses from two institutions were Dr. Ekachai Piensriwatchara, Deputy Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Public Health, Mr. Sansern Namprom, Director of the Human Resources Management Division of the Office of the Permanent Secretary, from STOU; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warangkana Chankong, Dean of the School of Health Science and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanjana Srisawad, Dean of the School of Nursing.
Key Provisions of the MOU:
Personnel Development: To promote and support the professional development of Ministry of Public Health personnel nationwide.
Academic and Research Initiatives: To organize academic projects, knowledge enhancement programs, research, and the exchange of expertise with the public.
Educational Support: The Ministry of Public Health will cooperate in the STOU’s instructional management by providing necessary facilities and equipment.
Expert Support: To provide personnel to serve as guest speakers for skill-building workshops and training, or as adjunct professors for the development of instructional materials, media, and distance learning systems.
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 in 2025. The ceremony was held at Phitayapat Building on 14 and 16 November 2025.
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, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warangkana Chankong, Dean of School of Health Science, presided over the ceremony along with the Faculty Members.
On 12 November 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU, accompanied by the STOU administrators—including Asst. Prof. Dr. Karn Boonsiri, Asst. Prof. Satawat Doungpan, Asst. Prof. Dr. Pavin Chinachoti, Asst. Prof. Dr. Songlak Sakulwichitsintu, and Dr. Tanapond Swanpitak—was honored to have a discussion with Mr. Thongchat Rattanawicha, Secretary to the President of the National Assembly, during a consultative meeting at the Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Parliament Building.
The objectives of the discussion were as follows:
To foster a strong relationship between STOU and the legislative body
To strengthen and expand the university’s network of partners
To promote cooperation in driving various operations and activities among the university, the public sector, and legislative agencies
On 26 August 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) organized a knowledge-sharing exhibition “Digital University for Distance Education”In celebration of STOU’s 47th anniversary on 5 September 2025 by Distance Education Staff Development Academy.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Arts and Culture Preservation, and International Affairs, presided over the opening event. This exhibition served as a vital platform for disseminating and exchanging experiences and knowledge regarding artificial intelligence (AI) and the application of digital technologies in distance education. This stemmed from the university’s staff development projects under the concept of a “Digital University for Distance Education.”
The project showcased outstanding works from 13 projects funded in the 2023-2024 fiscal year, encompassing both institutional and individual contributions. These projects included academic conferences, seminars, training sessions, and study visits. The event featured various engaging activities for in-depth knowledge sharing. Panel discussions between funded presenters and participants facilitated the direct transfer of knowledge and experiences. Additionally, videos and posters were showcased, and event was also live streamed through online channels.
Staff development in digital technologies is one of the core missions for STOU, which is committed to promoting high-quality distance education and providing equal educational opportunities for all. This exhibition acts as a bridge, enabling staff to present their work and share knowledge, which will lead to the application of these new insights and innovations in their practical work, thus contributing to STOU’s full transition into a digital university.
On 12 November 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU, accompanied by the STOU administrators—including Asst. Prof. Dr. Karn Boonsiri, Asst. Prof. Satawat Doungpan, Asst. Prof. Dr. Pavin Chinachoti, Asst. Prof. Dr. Songlak Sakulwichitsintu, and Dr. Tanapond Swanpitak—was honored to have a discussion with Dr. Kamol Rodklai, Senator and Chair of the Standing Committee on Education, Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation, at the Parliament Building.
The objectives of the discussion were as follows:
To foster a strong relationship between Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University and the Standing Committee on Education, Higher Education, Science, Research, and Innovation.
To strengthen and expand the university’s network of collaborative partners.
To collaborate on driving initiatives aimed at developing the skills and potential of STOU personnel.
On 13 November 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU, appeared on the program “NBT Mee Kam Tob” (NBT Has the Answer) on the NBT 2HD channel. During the broadcast, he reaffirmed STOU’s standing as “the university of learning opportunities for everyone.” He emphasized the university’s core mission to provide education for all; everyone can learn no matter who you are.
