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  • STOU Organizes “Fulfilling Happiness in Retirement” Program for Upcoming Retirees

    Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), through its Human Resources Division, recently organized the “Fulfilling Happiness in Retirement” activity. This event, held under the Quality of Working Life project, was specifically designed for personnel slated to retire in the 2025 fiscal year. The primary objectives were to express gratitude to these dedicated individuals for their unwavering commitment and service to the university, and to prepare them for a fulfilling and high-quality life after their careers.

    The activities took place from 17-20 June 2025 at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, as well as in Rayong and Chanthaburi provinces. Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President, presided over the opening ceremony. For the 2025 fiscal year, a total of 79 STOU personnel are retiring. This group comprises 39 government officials, 8 university employees, 27 permanent employees, and 5 temporary monthly employees. All of these individuals have consistently dedicated their energy and efforts to their duties at the university.

    The comprehensive program focused on holistic well-being and was designed to cover all dimensions of readiness—physical, mental, and emotional. Key activities included:

    • Special Lecture on Nutrition for Health: Mr. Supot Ruenroengklin, Senior Nutritionist from the Bureau of Nutrition, Department of Health, delivered an insightful lecture titled “Food for Happiness: Nutrition for a Vibrant Life After Work.”
      This provided practical guidance on self-care and maintaining health.
    • Study Visit on Quality of Life for Seniors: Participants visited and learned from
      the Ban Khai Subdistrict Municipality Elderly Quality of Life and Occupational Promotion Center in Rayong Province. This center serves as a model for promoting
      a good quality of life among the elderly.
    • Relaxing Excursion: Recreational tours were arranged in Rayong and Chanthaburi provinces, allowing personnel to unwind and create new experiences before entering their retirement phase.

    The event had several important objectives: to encourage future retirees to learn about holistic health care, gain knowledge on planning their post-retirement life based on the Sufficiency Economy philosophy, exchange life experiences, build a network among STOU retirees for mutual support and encouragement, and help them find value in their lives after retirement. Most importantly, it served as an expression of profound gratitude for their dedication and diligent service to the university.

    The “Fulfilling Happiness in Retirement” activity underscores STOU’s deep concern for all its personnel and its commitment to supporting them in transitioning to a truly qualitative, happy, and valuable post-retirement life.

  • STOU’s Non-Formal Education Program Honored for Contributions to Thailand Youth Institute

    Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) is proud to announce that its Non-Formal Education program, School of Educational Studies, has received a prestigious award for its significant contributions to the Thailand Youth Institute (TYI).

    The recognition was presented at the “TYI Stepping into the 15th Year: Growing Up with Us, Growing Together” event, held on June 16, 2025. STOU’s Non-Formal Education program was awarded a plaque of honor for its invaluable support in providing resources and knowledge to the institute. This award specifically acknowledged STOU as an educational institution
    that has actively supported TYI’s operations.

    Adding to this recognition, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanoknart Boonwattanakul, Director of the Office of Continuing Education, was also honored with an award for her contributions as a supporter of resources and knowledge. Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University extends its heartfelt congratulations to the Non-Formal Education program and to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chanoknart Boonwattanakul for this well-deserved recognition, highlighting STOU’s unwavering commitment to beneficial societal engagement.

  • STOU Welcomes Chiba University Delegation to Discuss Academic Collaboration

    16 June 2025 – Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) welcomed a delegation of executives and faculty members from Chiba University, Japan, at its Headquarters in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

    (left) Prof. Dr. Hikari Ishido, Chiba U Deputy Vice President
    (right) Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, STOU Acting President

    Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President of STOU, along with executives and faculty from the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives, greeted the visiting group. The Chiba University delegation was led by Prof. Dr. Hikari Ishido, Deputy Vice President.

    The purpose of the visit was to pay a courtesy call and discuss avenues for academic collaboration, with a particular focus on developing relations in the field of agricultural sciences. This meeting marks a significant beginning in establishing an academic cooperation network between the two institutions. Both parties anticipate that this initial discussion will lead to future joint research activities, student and staff exchanges, and the development of collaborative academic programs.

  • STOU Partners with TUPPT to Enhance Digital Media Skills and Educational Guidance

    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.

  • STOU and LIFE Partner to Launch Innovative Dual Degree Programs in Agriculture and Liberal Arts

    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.

  • STOU Welcomes Hungarian PhD Student Under EU Grant, Fosters Cross-Border Research Collaboration

    6 June 2025 – The School of Liberal Arts at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), specifically its Doctor of Philosophy program in Information Science, organized a research seminar to expand academic and research cooperation. This seminar brought together faculty and students from STOU and Eötvös Loránd University (ELTE) in Budapest, Hungary.
    The event was held under the Erasmus+ International Credit Mobility (ICM) Program, an initiative by the European Union that supports short-term educational and training exchanges between higher education institutions in EU member countries and non-EU countries, including Thailand.

    During the event, Ms. Enikő Gájász, a PhD student from Eötvös Loránd University in Hungary, presented her research. Prior to her presentation, she paid a courtesy visit to Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President of STOU, and Asst. Prof. Vasan Rattanapoka, Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at STOU, both of whom extended a warm welcome. Ms. Gájász then presented her research on “Leftover Women, or the Postponement of Marriage in China” in Room 1607, sharing and exchanging knowledge and experiences with faculty members and PhD students in Information Science from STOU’s School of Liberal Arts.

  • STOU Joins Forces with Ambassador City Jomtien to Cultivate Quality Hotel Personnel, Address Industry Shortages

    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.

  • STOU partners to boost Chachoengsao farmers with organic fertilizer training

    On 8 May 2025, Asst. Prof. Dr. Parichart Ditthakit, Director of Rajamangalapisek Education Park, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), along with Asst. Prof. Dr. Buntarika Nuntha, Dr. Wanalai Viriyasuthee, and Dr. Sirawut Sittichok, Faculty Members of the School of Agriculture Science and Cooperatives, participated in the project to promote livelihoods in accordance with the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and New Theory Agriculture for the fiscal year 2025.

    This activity took the form of a training course on producing organic fertilizer from agricultural waste to reduce production costs. The training was held at Kuwatil Islam Mosque in Yothaka, Bang Nam Priao, Chachoengsao.

    This project received cooperation from the Chachoengsao Provincial Administrative Organization, the Chachoengsao Provincial Farmers Council, and the Yothaka Subdistrict Administrative Organization. The initiative aims to empower local farmers to apply this knowledge to develop their professions, reduce costs, and create sustainability for their communities, aligning with the principles of the Sufficiency Economy.

  • STOU Expands Academic Services Through Collaboration with IMPACT Exhibition Management Co., Ltd.

    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.

  • Promoting Literacy: STOU and TLiA Collaborate on Seminar for Lifelong Learning and Digital Citizenship

    The School of Liberal Arts, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), in collaboration with the Thailand Literacy Association (TLiA) and its networks, organized the seminar “Literacy for Lifelong Learning and Digital Citizenship” on Friday, 16May 2025, from 9:00 AM to 3:30 PM.

    The event, officially named “Thailand Literacy Seminar 2025”, was held at the Multipurpose Room, 1st Floor, Bangkok Art and Culture Centre. In addition to STOU’s School of Liberal Arts and TLiA, the event saw participation from the Bangkok Metropolitan Library Network and the Academic Resources Center, Central Library, Chulalongkorn University.

    Morning Session: English Academic Lectures

    The morning session featured academic lectures delivered in English by distinguished speakers:

    • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Katina Zammit (Western Sydney University, Australia)
    • Prof. Dr. Rosalyn G. Mirasol (Social Science University of Santo Tomas, Manila)
    • Assoc. Prof. Dr. Amorn Petsom (Director, Academic Resources Center, Chulalongkorn University)
    • Asst. Prof. Dr. Wutthiphong Laoriandee (Deputy Director, Language Institute, Chulalongkorn University)
    • Mrs. Chutipa Kongsombut (Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University)

    Faculty members from the English program at the School of Liberal Arts, STOU, moderated this session.

    Afternoon Session: Group Discussions

    The afternoon session consisted of three breakout groups for participants to discuss and brainstorm ideas. The facilitators for these groups were:

    • Asst. Prof. Dr. Duangkaew Ngernpoolsup (School of Liberal Arts, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University)
    • Mr. Sopon Sud-iad (Library and Learning Section, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration)
    • Lecturer Dr. Sorakom Dissaman (Faculty of Arts, Chulalongkorn University)

    English program faculty and Ph.D. students in Information Science from the Faculty of Liberal Arts summarized the group discussions in English.

    The group discussions focused on brainstorming approaches to develop lifelong learning skills and digital citizenship. The seminar aimed to promote knowledge, inspire participants, and build collaborative networks to foster reading and literacy for the development of lifelong learning skills and digital citizenship among the public.

    The seminar concluded with closing remarks delivered by Prof. Dr. Namtip Wipawin, Professor of Information Science at STOU and President of TLiA, in her capacity as the Organizing President.