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IRD Open House 2025

Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, opening the event

Celebrating the 33 years of Institute for Research and Development (IRD) of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), the IRD Open House 2025 was organized on 8 April 2025 at Seminar Building I. Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU, presided over the event. The event aimed to promote and create a research atmosphere at the university. It also serves to increase knowledge and develop the creation, dissemination, and support of research works at both national and international levels for personnel.

The activities included lectures, academic research discussions, and the presentation of the STOU Research STAR awards for 2024.

Category	Individual Prize	Organizational Prize
Most Published Researcher (National Level)	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wittayatorn Tokeaw	School of Educational Studies
Most Published Researcher (International Level)	Asst. Prof. Dr. Chalermpon Jatuporn	School of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Most Cited Researcher (International Level)	Asst. Prof. Dr. Ajjaree Limpamont	School of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Most External Funded Researcher	Asst. Prof. Dr. Supatra Phanwichit	School of Law
Highest Number of Research from External Funding	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Wittayatorn Tokeaw	School of Communication Arts
Highest Participation with IRD	Miss Tuenta Pornniponpaisan	Office of Educational Technology
Most Viewed Research	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Thasothorn Tootongkam	School of Educational Studies

April 29, 2025

Outstanding Civil Servants 2024
On 1 April 2025 as a Civil Service Day, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Prime Minister of Thailand presided over the outstanding civil servants 2024. Mr. Chusak Sirinil, Minister Attached to the Prime Minister’s Office delivered awarding certificates and pins of honor to 624 selected officials at the Main Hall of the Government Public Relations Department.

Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) congratulates two of our officials, who were granted awards.
1. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sajja Bunjongsiri, Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Nakhon Sawan
2. Mr. Chananyu Pheuaphrom, Head of Network Coordination and Local Community, Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center – Nakhon Si thammarat
April 28, 2025
STOU signed MOU with Saengtham College Xavier Chiang Rai Campus

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.

April 28, 2025
STOU in the 15th International Conference in Art & Culture

On 26-28 March 2025, the Office of Art and Culture, Suratthani Rajabhat University (SRU) organized the 15th International Conference in Art & Culture under the theme of “Srivijaya- Thai Style, local lifestyle, dhamma, bringing local wisdom to creative.” In this occasion, Mr. Sukon Nuphakdee, Vice Governor of Surat Thani Province presided over the conference. Asst. Prof. Dr. Wattana Rattanaprom, President of SRU, delivered welcoming speech. Mr. Teeraphan Chancharoen, Director of the Office of Arts and Culture, delivered the conference report.

The conference featured important activities, including the presentation of articles and research in various fields and exhibitions of local wisdom from cultural network institutions throughout the country. The topics of the research presentations and exhibitions included arts and culture, such as history, geography, tourism management and creative economy, language, literature, performing arts, philosophy of religion, and local wisdom, as well as local development, sociology, educational innovation and technology. The conference was considered part of driving Thailand’s soft power through arts, culture, and creativity, which were the important foundations of the creative economy, creating value for communities and society, as well as providing opportunities for participants to exchange knowledge and development skills.

The Office of Continuing Education, the Seminar and Training Center, and Regional Academic Resources and Community Engagement Center—Nakhon Si Thammarat of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) coorganized on the booth for fruit and vegetable carving demonstation under the name “Treasures of My Home” with Mr. Nikom Israngkura
Na Ayudhya, an artist specializing in fruit and vegetable carving, showcasing his skills.

The booth filled with interested attendees, including students, staff, and the general public, as well as members of
the Sukhothai Thammathirat University Student Club from Surat Thani, who came to admire the works and learn carving techniques from the expert artist. The demonstration booth is not only a display of artwork but also a place for sharing knowledge and preserving Thai arts and culture for the new generation. The activities also reflect the importance of fruit and vegetable carving art, which is a cultural heritage worthy of conservation and preservation for future generations.

April 28, 2025
STOU donation in March 2024

10 March 2025 – Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) continues our commitment and dedication to both human welfare and environmental responsibility through charitable in Ratchaburi. The donation activities are in part of the awareness raising of the Green University. For initiatives in March 2025, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, led STOU team to deliver the donated items.

STOU supported “The Green Shelter Project” by gathering donated UHT cartons, totaling 65.5 kg. and handed over to Eco Friendly Thai Company. The company would recycle and repurpose as construction materials for people who are facing disaster.

The donated cloths, diapers and lottery tickets distributed to Wat Huai Mu was accepted by Phra Khru Chanthaseerakhon,
the abbot of Wat Huai Mu. The donation would support 42 children with intellectual disabilities in crafting various handmade items. These include artificial flowers, funeral wreaths, flower offerings for religious ceremonies, and seasonal products.
This initiative not only enhances their developmental skills but also creating value.

Chom Bueng Crown Prince Hospital received the donated paper bags and cloth bags, which would be handed out to the patients to carry medicines home. The full-body stockings and hard plastic cups would be recycled to produce prosthetic legs. The other donated including diaper, medical equipment and medicines were also handed over to the hospital. STOU collaborated with the Citizen Volunteer Project of the Thai Volunteer Service to ensure the donated medicines and medical equipment were properly categorized before being delivered to those in need.

April 8, 2025
STOU Faculty Member appointed to Professor of Information Science
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) congratulates Prof. Dr. Namtip Wipawin, Faculty Member of the School of Liberal Arts, who has been appointed to Professor of Information Science.

Prof. Dr. Namtip Wipawin

Qualifications:
- B.A. in Library Science, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
- B.Tech. in Business Information Technology, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, Thailand
- M.A. in Library Science, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
- M.Sc. in Information Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology Ladkrabang, Thailand
- Ph.D. in Library and Information Studies, Loughborough University, United Kingdom
Field of Expertise:
- Library and Information Science
- Information Organization and Resource Management
- Standards for Data Management in Digital Information Repositories and Digital Information Preservation
April 8, 2025
Workshop on Approaches to Advancing Academic Work to the International Level
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) hosted a workshop on “Approaches to Advancing Academic Work to the International level” at STOU headquarters in Nonthaburi. On this occasion, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kemmanat Mingsiritham, Deputy 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 consisted of AI to support the academic work, Tips and tricks for successful dissemination of scientific work. The workshop demonstrated roles of AI in the process of creation and dissemination of scientific work, including:
- Searching for the white spots
- The choice of the channel
- Working on the own scientific publication
During the workshop, the Faculty Members of the Office of Educational Technology jointly presented and exchanged knowledge about research and approaches for publishing research articles at the international level.
April 2, 2025
SEAMEO SEAMOLEC – STOU MOU Signing Ceremony

On 12 March 2025, Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with SEAMEO SEAMOLEC officially. The MOU was signed by Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President of STOU and
Dr. Wahyudi, Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLEC. The MOU signing ceremony took place at the Administration Building of STOU in Nonthaburi, Thailand.

Dr. Wahyudi, Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLEC

Ms. Cahya Kusuma Ratih, Deputy Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLEC

The MOU signing ceremony was witnessed by Ms. Cahya Kusuma Ratih, Deputy Director of SEAMEO SEAMOLEC,
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, Asst. Prof. Dr. Worrawit Nakpan, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs, Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Head of International Development, and Miss Warakanya Thanarak, Acting Head of Protocol and Strategic International Initiatives.

This collaboration focuses on building educational cooperation networks, with the objective of exchanging knowledge in distance education, organizing workshops for faculty members, staff, and high school students, exchanging experts and human resources, as well as promoting joint research and development projects.

SEAMEO SEAMOLEC is a leading regional center recognized in ASEAN for open and distance learning, with expertise in research, training, and educational information technology development. The signing of this MOU will help expand educational opportunities and establish a concrete cooperation network between the two organizations.

April 2, 2025
Teacher Teach Show: Teachers Creating Change Project

Mr. Siripong Angkasakulkiat, Vice Minister of Education, presiding over the seminar

Asst. 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.

April 2, 2025
STOU and LIEF agreed on dual degree programs development

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.

March 20, 2025