Royal Proclamation
The establishment of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University can be deemed the opening of a truly modern university – one that enables those with the ability to seek knowledge and expertise to step forward into bold new horizons. It is clear that Thais are an intelligent people, lacking only opportunities to expand their own knowledge and ability. They are an intelligent people who have shown that when given the chance to study at advanced levels, their accomplishments are equal to – and sometimes even surpass – the achievements of other civilized nations. It is therefore fitting to give all Thai people such an opportunity for further study….”
STOU Vision 2037
STOU strives to be a world-leading open university utilizing technology and educational innovation to provide lifelong education for all.
STOU Identity
- Open university with open learning and distance education
- Self-directed support learning system
- Availability of various lifelong educational materials
Mission
1. To provide lifelong education
- Establishing change-oriented pedagogy and evaluation
- Achieving an international educational standard through enhancement in academic strengths
- Enriching the educational service system and student activities in accordance with future-oriented skills for Thailand 4.0
2. To advance knowledge and innovation for the development of individuals, communities, society, and country through research and development
- Enhancing research competence and creating innovation to support distance education, and community and national development
3. To promote academic service through knowledge integration for the communal, societal, and national prosperity and sustainability
- Enhancing the conservation and promotion system for Thai arts and culture
- Promoting and preserving arts and culture at the local and international levels
- Developing learning resources for arts and culture
4. To learn, conserve, restore, carry on, and disseminate Thai arts and culture
- Strengthening the efficiency of integrating the academic service system through community outreach
- Strengthening the efficiency of integrating the academic service system through community outreach
5. To maintain stability, prosperity, sustainability, and good governance of the institution
- Enhancing the management system for organizational efficiency and good governance
- Achieving an international level in human resource management
- Developing a technology system to support Digital University for Personalized Lifelong Learning (PLL)
- Developing physical infrastructures to become a sustainable university
Background
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) was officially established by Royal Charter on 5 September 1978 as Thailand’s eleventh state university. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej (King Rama IX) graciously bestowed the university its name in honor of King Prajadhipok (King Rama VII), who once held the title “Prince Sukhothai Thammaracha” prior his accession to the throne.
On 24 October 1978, His Majesty issued royal mandates appointing the first University Council and appointing Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an as the first president, effective from January 1978. After approximately two years of preparation, STOU received its first academic class on 1 December 1980. STOU began with three schools of study: Educational Studies, Liberal Arts and Management Science.
From 1979 to 1984, STOU had no home campus of its own, so it had to share space with such agencies as the National Education Commission, Thai Airways, the Faculty of Economics of Chulalongkorn University, and the Ministry of University Affairs. In 1981, Mr. Monkol Kanjanapas donated to the university a 30-rai section of land located in Pakkret district of Nonthaburi province. The university then bought more land, bringing the total to approximately 135 rai. Construction at this site began in 1982, and the university began operating from the new location on 9 December 1984.
At its founding, STOU was the first university in Southeast Asia to use the distance learning system. This new system of learning expanded the role of higher education in Thailand by engaging learners who previously had no opportunity to further their education. Since its establishment, STOU has enabled the development of individuals and communities throughout Thailand and beyond.
University Symbols
Crest: The university crest features three arrows placed horizontally beneath a crown framed by the pinnacle of a cone-shaped stupa. The three arrows are taken from the official seal of King Rama VII, while the stupa is the symbol of the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, granted permission for the symbol to be used as the university’s official crest.
Colors: The university colors are green and gold. Green is the color Thais traditionally associate with Wednesday, the day on which King Rama VII was born, while gold represents good fortune.
Tree: Parichat or Tong Lang Lai; Variegated Tiger Claw or Variegated Coral (Erythrina variegata) was chosen as the university tree because the leaves are dark green with gold-colored veins.
University Symbols
Crest: The university crest features three arrows placed horizontally beneath a crown framed by the pinnacle of a cone-shaped stupa. The three arrows are taken from the official seal of King Rama VII, while the stupa is the symbol of the ancient kingdom of Sukhothai. His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej, granted permission for the symbol to be used as the university’s official crest.
Colors: The university colors are green and gold. Green is the color Thais traditionally associate with Wednesday, the day on which King Rama VII was born, while gold represents good fortune.
Tree: Parichat or Tong Lang Lai; Variegated Tiger Claw or Variegated Coral (Erythrina variegata) was chosen as the university tree because the leaves are dark green with gold-colored veins.