On 22 January 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) advanced its international network by holding an online Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signing ceremony for academic cooperation with the Green Africa Foundation (GAF) from
the Republic of Kenya. This partnership aims to promote knowledge exchange, capacity building, and mutual sustainable development.
The ceremony took place at the Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC), at STOU Headquarters. The MOU was signed
by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Taweewat Watthanakuljaroen, President of STOU, and Dr. Isaac Kalua Green, Founder and Chairperson of the GAF,
with executives and representatives from both sides as witnesses. This collaboration focuses on joint operations in education, distance learning, agricultural knowledge exchange, and sustainable community development—rooted in the Philosophy of Sufficiency Economy and adapted to each country’s context.
Furthermore, the event was supported by diplomatic and international cooperation agencies. Representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and related organizations witnessed the signing and discussed future collaboration. Notable attendees included
H.E. Ms. Morakot Janemathukorn, the former Ambassador of Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi, along with representatives from the Royal Thai Embassy in Nairobi, the Africa Division of the Department of South Asian, Middle East, and African Affairs, and the Thailand International Cooperation Agency (TICA).
The presence of these diplomatic representatives underscores the significance of academic cooperation between Thailand and the Republic of Kenya at both the institutional and national levels. STOU aims to leverage its potential in distance education and academic expertise to support sustainable development based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and strengthen communities in the long term. This partnership marks a significant milestone for STOU in expanding its academic network into Africa, aligning with its strategy to be a leading global open university that utilizes technology and educational innovation to promote lifelong learning.
