On 8 – 14 September 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamolrat Intaratat, School of Communication Arts (DevCom) and Director of the CCDKM Expertise Research Center of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), presented research at the International Conference on Innovation and Technopreneurship 2025 (ICIT 2025) at INTI International University, Malaysia.
The conference focuses on QS Ranking University and delivered a special lecture on Innovation and Technopreneurship and the use of Communication Technology & Innovation transitioning from Digital Communication Technology to AI (Artificial Intelligence) in various empowering dimensions, i.e., functional education throughout the system, from the policy level to the learner, within a lifelong learning ecosystem in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) framework with “Quality Education” and “Leave No One Behind.” This Digital Communication Technology & AI (Artificial Intelligence) aims to empower all groups of people, particularly those with special needs in Thai society, such as all groups of out-of-school learners, the elderly, ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, informal workers, marginal women & young girls.
STOU Master’s Student Wins Gold at Thailand Research Expo 2025; University Showcases Innovative Research
The National Research Council of Thailand (NRCT) under the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), along with nationwide research networks, hosted the “Thailand Research Expo 2025: Research for All – Connecting Thailand’s Future with Research and Innovation” from 16-20 June 2025, at Centara Grand & Bangkok Convention Centre, CentralWorld. Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn graciously presided over the opening ceremony on 20 June 2025.
On 16 June, the first day of the event, Ms. Supamas Isarabhakdi, Minister of MHESI, officiated the opening. She was joined by Prof. Dr. Supachai Pathumnakul, Permanent Secretary of MHESI, Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Executive Director of NRCT, executives from national research networks, experts, researchers, innovators, faculty members, students, private sector representatives, and members of the press.
The Thailand Research Expo 2025 is an annual national research exhibition that serves as a platform to showcase advancements in research, innovation, and technology. This year, with collaboration from research organizations nationwide, the expo presented outcomes capable of driving national development across all dimensions, categorized under six research themes:
Research and Innovation for Thai Economic Development with the BCG Economic Model
Research and Innovation for Creating National Soft Power
Research and Innovation for Industrial Utilization and New Economic Development
Research and Innovation for Sustainable Societal Advancement
Research and Innovation for Sustainable Environmental Balance
Research and Innovation for Empowering Community Enterprises
A notable highlight of this year’s expo was the gold medal awarded to Mr. Siriwat Luno, a Master’s student from the Educational Measurement and Evaluation program, School of Educational Studies, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU). His innovative research, titled “The Development of a Scale to Measure Growth Mindsets for Lower Secondary School Students with the Application of Anchoring Vignettes,” received the gold award in Group 5 (Quality of Life and Soft Power) of the 2025 Higher Education Innovation Competition. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sungworn Ngudgratoke, Faculty Member of the School of Educational Studies, served as his advisor.
Mr. Siriwat’s work is a significant innovation focused on developing an assessment tool to promote Growth Mindset – the belief that one’s abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning. This is crucial for preparing youth in a rapidly changing era. The application of Anchoring Vignettes in his measurement scale is a key feature that enhances the accuracy and validity of assessing Growth Mindset beliefs by reducing personal bias in survey responses, thereby yielding truly beneficial data for developing teaching methods and fostering student potential. Mr. Siriwat’s achievement marks another important step in leveraging research for the benefit of Thai education and youth quality of life, aligning with the nation’s Soft Power development goals.
In addition, STOU’s Institute for Research and Development showcased two significant research projects at the expo:
“Sweetness and antioxidant indices of Mango (Mangifera indica cv. ‘Nam Dok Mai Sithong‘) using RGB and NIR images”: Presented as an exhibition, this research focuses on non-destructive evaluation of mango quality, which is of great interest to the agricultural industry. The use of images from various wavelengths, such as RGB and Near-Infrared (NIR), provides in-depth information about the internal properties of the fruit. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supawadee Theerathammakorn, a Faculty Member of the School of Science and Technology, was the lead researcher.
“Assessment of Cheating Behavior During Online Exams Using Artificial Intelligence on an Automatic Student Facial Expression Recognition System”: This research was presented in a lecture format by a team of faculty members from the School of Science and Technology.
During the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supawadee Theerathammakorn represented STOU to receive a plaque of appreciation for the university’s partnership in research networks. Furthermore, Asst. Prof. Dr. Parichat Dittakit, Director of Rajamangalaphisek Education Park and Faculty Member from the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives at STOU received a plaque of appreciation on behalf of the Sustainable Urban Agriculture Community Research Center in Nonthaburi Province, under the Central Community Research Network. Dr. Wiparat De-ong, Director of NRCT, presented both plaques.
On 13-15 November 2024, project managers for the New Generation Graduate Program 2024 in Carbon Footprint Assessment and Sustainable Industrial Waste Management Innovations have presented the students’ project at the Environmental and Waste Management Expo 2024 (EnwastExpo) at IMPACT Arena Hall 5-6, Muang Thong Thani, Nonthaburi.
Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, presided over the event at the main stage of EnwastExpo and presented the plaque for the award of excellence. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Warankgkana Chankong, Dean of School of Health Science, led the Panel Discussion, which included Asst. Prof. Dr. Pavin Chinachoti, Dean of the School of Management Science, and Asst. Prof. Dr. Poom Juasiripukdee, Dean of the School of Science and Technology.
From 3-5 July 2024, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, Dean of the School of Educational Studies, participated in the 2024 International Conference on Open Innovative Education (ICOIE2024) at Hong Kong Metropolitan University (HKMU) in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan (left) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen (right) attending ICOIE2024
The conference was held with the following objectives:
provide a platform for sharing quality research, effective practices and well-formulated views relevant to open and innovative education;
facilitate networking and cross-institutional collaboration among researchers and educators in fields of educational innovation and/or openness; and
promote studies and advancements in open and innovative education.
The main topics of the keynote speeches were:
AI in Education: Finding the Right Moments of Dependency, Scaffolding, and Competency
Internet Dividends and Human Resource Development in China
Debates, Experiences and Solutions of Using Generative AI for Learning and Teaching
Distance Education Universities in Asia: Challenges and Opportunities
Learning analytics in the age of generative artificial intelligence
These topics were presented by university administrators and professors who are experts in their respective fields. (More information is available at: https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/icoie/speakers/#keynote2
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan (left) and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen (right) attending ICOIE2024
In addition, there was a session for researchers to present their research under 13 different related topics:
AI/VR/AR/MR in education
Engaging students and learning design
Innovations in curriculum and pedagogy
Academic/learning analytics
Agile/blended/agile-blended learning
Gamification for learning
Social media and technology-mediated learning communities
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan presenting at ICOIE2024
At the ICOIE2024 Conference, STOU presented a research paper titled “The Results of the Training of Occupational Competency-Based with Blended Learning for Elders in Thailand” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemmanat Mingsiritham, Office of Educational Technology. The research findings were presented under the topic of Agile/blended/agile-blended learning.
The ICOIE2025 will be organized from 9-11 July 2025. Visit https://www.hkmu.edu.hk/icoie/ for more information on the ICOIE Conference.
On 10 April 2024, The Institute for Research and Development (IRD), Sukhothai Thammathirat organized an Open House event at Meeting Room 5209, Seminar I Building of STOU Headquarters in Nonthaburi. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Narathip Sriram, Acting Vice-President for Education, Learning Support, and Research presided over the opening ceremony.
The event was to promote and create an atmosphere for research at the university. It also aimed to share knowledge and encourage research development, publication, and support at both national and international levels among faculty members. The STOU IRD took this opportunity to celebrate the important occasion of the 32nd anniversary of its establishment.
The event featured a Special Talk on “Mission & Next Steps with IRD” and three Academic Forums including “Research Design Concepts” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kanchana Wattanasuntorn, “Key Components of a Research Proposal” by Assoc. Dr. Taweewat Wattanakuljaroen, and “Weaknesses in Research Proposal Writing” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sarisak Suntornchai.
The STOU Research STAR 2024 Awards were also presented at the event. The awards comprised 21 prizes in 7 categories.
Category
Individual Prize
Organizational Prize
Most Published Researcher (National Level)
Asst. Prof. Dr. Akaphol Kaladee Assoc. Prof. Dr. Araya Prasertchai
School of Educational Studies
Most Published Researcher (International Level)
Dr. Chootrakul Siripaiboon Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemmanat Mingsiritham
School of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Most Cited Researcher (International Level)
Dr. Chootrakul Siripaiboon Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemmanat Mingsiritham
School of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Most External Funded Researcher
Asst. Prof. Dr. Sathita Wimonkunarak Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sineenuch Khrutmuang Sanserm
School of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Highest Number of Research from External Funding
Asst. Prof. Dr. Noppon Akahat Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wittayatorn Tokaew
School of Communication Arts
Highest Participation with IRD
Asst. Prof. Dr. Apiradee Sriopas Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thasothorn Tootongkam
Office of Educational Technology
Most Viewed Research
Asst. Prof. Dr. Padcharee Phasuk with the work “Toll-Pricing Compensation for the Externality on Society of the Nakhon Pathom – Cha Am Intercity Motorway Project
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sineenuch Khrutmuang Sanserm with the work “Distance Instructional Model in Response to Student Needs in New Normal Era in Agricultural Extension and Development Program of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University”
20 April 2023 – The STOU Institute for Research and Development held an awarding event for faculty members who conducted outstanding research papers in the academic year 2022. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Manit Jumpa, Distinguished Member of the University Council, STOU Acting President, presided over and presented the awards to the researchers.
Nine papers were awarded including the following.
Awarded ‘Excellent’ in Social and Country Development Category
Factor Analysis of Smart Social Media Technology to Promote Professional Learning Communities for Teachers by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemmanat Mingsiritham and Asst. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan
The Community Network Development of Water-related Disaster and Water Resources Management in Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan and Upper Chao Phraya Basin by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sajja Banjongsiri et al.
Awarded ‘Good’ in Distance Education Category
Development of audio description for distance education students with visual impairment at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University by Asst. Prof. Dr. Seksan Amatmontree and Assoc. Prof. Apinya Sonkanok
Awarded ‘Good’ in Social and Country Development Category
The Development of Integrated Group Counseling Model to Enhance Psychological Hardiness of Children with Physical Disabilities at Sri Sangwan School, Nonthaburi Province by Assoc. Prof. Pol. Lt. Col. Dr. Sukaroon Wongtim and Assoc. Prof. Dr. Boonsri Prommapun
Learning Management to Raise Awareness about Water-related Disaster and Water Resources Management in Ping, Wang, Yom, Nan and Upper Chao Phraya Basin by Assoc. Prof. Bumpen Keowan et al.
Digital Marketing Guideline for Pharmaceutical Business in Thailand under the Conflict of Information Search Behavior, Business Opportunity and Marketing Ethical Control by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Anothai Ngamvichaikit
The Legal Compliance of Non-Hotel Accommodation in Thailand by Dr. Walaiwan Mathurotpreechakun
Efficiency and Effectiveness of Village and Urban Community Funds in Low-income Provinces by Assoc. Prof. Dr.Pithak Srisuksai
Film Exhibition Business and Thai Society 1897-2018 by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Unaloam Chanrungmaneekul
The awarding event was held to promote the research environment within the university and to support the researchers to conduct quality researches that respond to the problems and needs of the university, the society, and the country.
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.
On 9 December 2020, STOU President, Administrators and researchers joined the OU5 Virtual Forum hosted via Zoom by the University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU) during 9.00-11.00 hrs.
The OU5 Virtual Forum was organized to gear up the works under the OU5 cooperative scheme between Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), The University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), Universitas Terbuka (UT), Open University Malaysia (OUM) and Hanoi Open University (HOU).
The virtual meeting was joined by administrators and researchers from 5 member universities.
From STOU were (1) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Pranee Sungkatavat, Acting President, (2) Asst. Prof. Dr. Anothai Ngamvichaikit, Acting Vice-President for Research and Innovation, (3) Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supawadee Theerathammakorn, Acting Director of Department of International Affairs, (4) Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Head of Internationalization Development Unit and nine researchers.
From UPOU were (1) Prof. Dr. Melinda dP Bandalaria, Chancellor, (2) Dr. Melinda F. Lumanta, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and researchers. From UT were (1) Prof. Dr. Ojat Darojat, Rector, (2) Dr. Mohamad Yunus, Vice-Rector for Academic Affairs, (3) Dr. Lidwina Sri Ardiasih, Director of the International Office, and 12 researchers.
From OUM were Prof. Dato’ Dr. Mansor Fadzil, President, and researchers.
From HOU were Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thi Nhung, Vice-President and four researchers.
Prof. Dr. Melinda dP Bandalaria, UPOU Chancellor, delivered an opening message, followed by remarks from HOU, OUM, STOU and UT leaders.
This year OU5 Virtual Forum was honored by Dr. Ethel Agnes P. Valenzuela, SEAMEO Secretariat Director, who gave the keynote message and launched the Global Digital Literacy Project.
The following agenda was the soft launch of the OU5 Distance Education Book by Prof. Dr. Tian Belawati, former Rector of UT and the book’s editor.
The research groups then made reports on the research of 2020 and discussed the proposed initiatives and research for the following year. The Forum ended with remarks by Dr. Melinda F. Lumanta, UPOU Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
