12 June 2025 – Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), and Mr. Pisanu Dechdai, Director of Triam Udom Suksa Pattanakarn Pathumthani School (TUPPT), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish academic cooperation. This partnership aims to develop skills in online media production and technology-driven teaching and learning, as well as to provide educational guidance.
The signing ceremony was hosted by STOU’s Office of Educational Technology at Studio 1 of the Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC). Executives from both institutions were present to witness the event.
This collaboration seeks to develop and enhance digital skills for teachers, staff, students of TUPPT, and interested individuals. Joint activities will span various dimensions, including:
Organizing training sessions to develop online media production skills.
Jointly creating learning plans that align with new technologies.
Allocating technological resources to support teaching and learning.
Providing consultation and guidance on pathways to higher education.
Furthermore, TUPPT will serve as an STOU Educational Service Center, facilitating easier and more continuous access for students and the community to the university’s distance learning system.
Both institutions’ executives expressed confidence that this collaboration marks a significant beginning in developing educational knowledge. They believe it will serve as a model for bridging secondary and higher education, preparing Thai youth for a secure and quality future.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and the Learning Institute for Everyone (LIFE) have announced a significant academic collaboration aimed at establishing dual bachelor’s degree programs in STOU’s School of Agriculture and Cooperatives and LIFE’s Faculty of Liberal Arts. This partnership will enable students to earn two degrees simultaneously, meeting the demands of modern learners and the evolving job market.
This impactful partnership began with a visit on 18 February 2025, by a delegation from STOU, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President, along with faculty members from the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The purpose of their visit to LIFE in Samut Songkhram Province was to discuss promoting academic programs and exploring collaborative opportunities.
The meeting was hosted by Dr. Sakphong Homhual, Acting President of LIFE, and attended by key executives, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supakarn Siripaisan, Dean of the Graduate School, and Dean Phumjai Raidee of the Faculty of Liberal Arts. This initial discussion laid the crucial groundwork for the subsequent academic cooperation.
Following these preliminary talks, STOU organized a working group meeting on 8 April 2025, to draft the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). During this visit, LIFE representatives also toured STOU’s Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC), highlighting a shared interest in media-based learning and innovation.
The official signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) took place on June 10, 2025, in Meeting Room 1514 at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, hosted by the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Associate Professor Dr. Phanomphat Samitanon and Dr. Sakphong Homhual formally signed the agreement, witnessed by executives from both institutions.
Associate Professor Dr. Phanomphat Samitanon described the collaboration as “opening a new dimension of boundless educational management.” He emphasized that STOU, with its strengths in distance education and highly demanded fields like agriculture and cooperatives, will join forces with LIFE, which specializes in community outreach and flexible education. This partnership aims to produce graduates with diverse skills, meeting labor market demands and fostering sustainable self-development.
Dr. Sakphong Homhual added, “This is a significant opportunity for students and communities to access knowledge from a leading higher education institution like STOU. Integrating knowledge from our Faculty of Liberal Arts with STOU’s agricultural expertise will cultivate graduates who possess both professional knowledge and social skills, enabling them to genuinely apply their learning for local development.”
Under this MOU, students will be able to enroll in a dual degree program, initially focusing on STOU’s School of Agriculture and Cooperatives and LIFE’s Faculty of Liberal Arts as pilot programs. Plans are in place to expand to other fields of study in the future. Beyond the degree programs, the collaboration also encompasses:
The development of short-term learning modules.
Certificate programs.
Joint personnel development through collaborative research and academic services.
Both institutions will meticulously plan the practical aspects of educational management, from student admission and credit transfer to professional experience training, assessment, and evaluation. This comprehensive planning ensures a smooth and highly effective collaborative educational process.
This partnership marks a crucial step in reforming Thai higher education, with the ultimate benefit of the learner at its core. It is expected to enhance educational opportunities and broaden access to quality education for diverse communities.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for academic cooperation. This partnership aims to create professional pathways for personnel and students in the hotel and tourism industry, offering opportunities for theoretical learning combined with practical experience. It also allows for credit accumulation that can be transferred towards an STOU bachelor’s degree.
The signing ceremony took place on 5 June 2025, at the Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel in Chonburi province. The MOU was signed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, University Council Member and Acting President of STOU, and Ms. Chavanate Thangsumphant, Managing Director of Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel. Executives from both organizations were present to co-sign and witness the event.
This collaboration is designed to sustainably address the ongoing shortage of personnel in the hotel industry. Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel, which established the Amtel Institute of Hotel and Tourism to develop the professional skills of high school, Vocational Certificate, and Higher Vocational Certificate graduates, has now elevated its cooperation with STOU to bolster academic strength.
Under this agreement, hotel staff and Amtel Institute students will have the opportunity to enroll in STOU’s Certificate of Achievement Program. This flexible learning model allows individuals to study at their own pace, balancing their education with work. Credits earned can be transferred for admission into any of STOU’s 12 bachelor’s degree programs, following the university’s curriculum structure. Students will gain theoretical knowledge from STOU’s qualified faculty while simultaneously engaging in practical training and skill-building directly with the hotel.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, stated, “STOU is delighted to leverage its expertise in distance education to expand opportunities for professionals in the service industry. This collaboration is a model for modern education, integrating academic knowledge with real-world experience at a leading establishment.”
Ms. Chavanate Thangsumphant, Managing Director of Ambassador City Jomtien Hotel, added, “The hotel has always prioritized human resource development. This partnership with STOU will significantly enhance the potential of our staff and Amtel Institute students, ensuring they are highly prepared. It also creates a clear career progression path and supplies quality personnel to Thailand’s tourism industry.”
Both parties also plan to develop short-term (non-degree) courses in the future to promote lifelong learning and develop specialized skills essential for the industry. On the occasion of this signing, STOU also provided the hotel with a “Samritibat Corner” to serve as a resource for information and education for the hotel’s staff and students.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), and Ms. Tamita Chongsawadworakul, Corporate Human Resources Director at IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd., jointly signed an academic cooperation agreement on 22 May 2025. The signing ceremony took place at STOU Headquarters in Nonthaburi.
The primary objective of this collaboration between STOU and IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd. is to enhance teaching and learning, develop curricula, foster student development, facilitate joint research initiatives, enable academic staff exchange, and strengthen overall academic cooperation.
This partnership originated when STOU was invited to provide English language training for the Food and Beverage department staff at IMPACT. The program, developed by STOU’s School of Liberal Arts, was very well-received. As a result, IMPACT extended the collaboration to include additional courses for other employee groups and plans for continuous curriculum development in the future. This long-term partnership promotes mutual support at the organizational level and effectively bridges “academia” with “practical application.” It aims to achieve concrete personnel development by leveraging the concept of “human capital” through continuous learning. This initiative aligns perfectly with STOU’s mission to provide academic services that integrate knowledge into communities, society, and the nation, fostering prosperity and sustainability.
The Tumpang Games 2025 – the 41st Thailand University Personnel Games was held from 3-10 May 2025, under the concept of “Power of Spirit,” reflecting the spirit of sportsmanship: knowing how to lose, knowing how to win, and knowing how to forgive. The event brought together athletes and related personnel from 59 higher education institutions across the country, totaling over 7,000 participants competing for 426 gold medals in 17 sports.
On 3 May 2025, the faculty, staff, and athletes of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) participated in the opening ceremony of the Tumpang Games 2025, at the Tumpang Central Stadium, Walailak University, Nakhon Si Thammarat. Miss Waraporn Rungtrakarn, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), presided over the opening ceremony. Also in attendance were Mr. Witthaya Khiaorod, Deputy Governor of Nakhon Si Thammarat Province; Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chusit Pradabpet, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the University Sports Board of Thailand (USBT); Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanchai Suksuwan, Chairman of the Subcommittee on Sports Promotion for Excellence of the USBT; and delegations of athletes and officials from 59 institutions nationwide.
E-Sport athletesSwimmersE-Sport athletesSwimmers
STOU sent a total of 58 athletes and officials to compete in 7 sports: football, futsal, table tennis, swimming, petanque, esports, and badminton. STOU ended their Tumpang Games 2025 with 6 medals:
1 Gold Medal in Mixed-gender E-Sport
2 Silver Medals in Men’s E-Sport and Men’s 4x50m Freestyle Relay (45-49)
3 Bronze Medals in Men’s 4x50m Medley Relay (45-49), Women’s 50m Breaststroke (50-54), and Men’s Individual Petanque.
The university’s continuous support and promotion of various programs serve as a crucial mechanism to encourage personnel to recognize and prioritize their own health. Furthermore, it fosters happiness, unity, and a positive atmosphere within the workplace.
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saengtham College Xavier Chiang Rai Campus on expanding an academic service network and expanding educational opportunities for the underprivileged throughout Thailand, including students from neighboring countries such as Myanmar and Laos, with the aim of making undergraduate education more accessible in a convenient learning format for everyone. The signing ceremony was held at Saengtham College Xavier Campus Chiang Rai on 25 March 2025.
STOU team who joined the signing ceremony included;
• Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narathip Sriram Acting Vice-President for Education, Learning Support, and Research
• Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khajornsak Sitthi, Director of the Office of Educational Services
• Mr. Banchong Somsri, Director of Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Lampang
• Mr. Tamphong Wongchan, Director of Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Nonthaburi Saengtham College Xavier Chiang Rai Campus team who joined the The signing ceremony included;
• Father Dr. Winai Boonlue, Vice-President for Saengtham College Xavier Chiang Rai Campus
• Father Dr. Pichet Saengtien, Dean of Faculty of Liberal Arts
STOU is the first open university in Thailand that provides distance education, with the concept “Anywhere, Anytime, Anyone Can Learn” by using variety of learning material and channel.
• Text Book
• STOU Online Learning
• TV Chanel and Video Clip
• Consultation at STOU Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center
The MOU is an important step for expanding educational opportunities to students in remote areas, including populations in border regions of Thailand and neighboring countries, so they can access higher education without having to relocate. Furthermore, the MOU also lead the future plan to develop and expand educational opportunities to the Upper Mekong River area.
Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Vice Minister of Education, presiding over the seminarAsst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, delivering welcoming remark
Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Vice Minister of Education, presided over Teacher Teach Show: Teachers Creating Change Project at Chalermprakiat Building, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), on 10-13 March 2025.
The Teach Show: Teachers Creating Change project is a collaborative project between STOU and the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) for developing teachers’ skills in using digital technology to produce creative media. The project aims to enhance skills in producing various forms of online media. The 250 teachers who participated in this project learned how to use digital technology to create effective teaching and learning materials. This project covered 8 courses, both in online and on-site formats. The participants who completed all 8 courses had the opportunity to enter a short film competition.
OBEC and STOU are preparing to provide training for 300 students at the end of March 2025 to develop these skills among youth as well.
On 18 February 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) visited Learning Institute For Everyone (LIFE) in Samut Songkhram to promote and discuss the establishment of cooperation for dual degree programs. Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, led the team from the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, including Asst. Prof. Janenarong Tiensawang, Dean , Asst. Prof. Buntarika Nuntha, Deputy Dean, along with Faulty Members including Asst. Prof. Dr. Siriluck Namwong, Dr. Apisada Rueangket, and Dr. Sirijanya Aryuman.
The LIFE team who joined the meeting and discussion consisted of Dr. Sakpong Homhuan, Acting for President of LIFE, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supakarn Siripaisarn, Dean of Graduate Studies, Mr. Poomjai Raide, Dean of the Faculty of Liberal Arts, and the administrators of LIFE.
Both institutions agreed to establish a working group to develop dual degree programs at both undergraduate and graduate levels, as well as student and staff development through short courses and other academic activities.
On 22-24 February 2025, Asst. Prof. Dr. Renukar Thongkhamrod, Dean of the School of Nursing, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Somprin Niyomthai, Dean of the School of Political Science, joined the Tri-Conference 2025 under the theme of “Constancy, Change, and Co-Existence,” hosted by the University of the Philippines Open University in Los Banos, Laguna, Philippines.
The Tri-Conference 2025 consisted of the following 3 programs.
1. International Symposium for ASEAN Studies (ISAS) program
Theme: Fostering Collaboration and Embracing Innovation for a Sustainable Future
The objective was to serve as a platform for academics, policy makers, stakeholders, and ASEAN researchers to exchange knowledge and experiences.
2. International Symposium on Education and AI Convergence (ISEAC) program
Theme: Constancy, Change, and Co-existence: Navigating the Interplay between Education, AI, and Cybersecurity in a Dynamic World
The objective was to explore advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cyber security, including their impact on education. This conference features keynote speeches from renowned experts and academic presentations.
3. International Conference on Open and Distance eLearning (ICODeL) program
Theme: Constancy, Adaptability and Co-existence Towards A Hopeful Future”
The objective was to provide a forum for academics, practitioners, and policy makers in distance education and e-learning to have opportunities to exchange experiences and build collaboration among themselves.
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.
