STOU e-Newsletter No.5 Dec 2013

STOU

e-NEWSLETTER 05/13 Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

STOU students utilize social network as a mean for educational support

It has been graduating season for the students of Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. If we scroll through STOU Facebook group, we’ll find a set of pleasant pictures of graduates in their graduation gown.

STOU Facebook group was created by STOU group of students who would like to provide support for fellow university mates. The group

is supervised by a group of ‘admins’ who was appointed by the group creator and allowed by the system to look after this online community.

Admins were carrying down from generation to generation.

Apart from the university web board, Facebook group allows students to ask any questions regarding their educational problems, whether it’s about registration, examination or study techniques. Members usually also post news from the university on group wall. Liangann Pakpiankit, one of the group admins said ‘We help each other out like we’re a family.’

Every picture of graduates were appreciated by the group members and they were sincerely congratulated.

STOU launches mobile apps for students and the public Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University students and the public can now enjoy STOU’s ‘Media on Demand’ and Thai literature via mobile apps.

STOU launches ‘STOU Mobile’ application featuring broadcasted radio and television programs to facilitate students who demand a more convenient access to m-learning materials. It can be downloaded for free from the Google Play Store.

The university also introduces an e-book app called ‘STOU eBooks’ which offers textbooks from the 12

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schools of STOU and valuable Thai literatures. With the aims to promote Thai art and culture and to provide academic services to the people, community and educational organization, the university has been financially supporting this project from 2012.

All books are free for download through the application which is available at Google Play Store and App Store.

STOU NEWSLETTER |No. 05 Dec 2013

STOU remains its goal to expand educational opportunity, foster a culture of lifelong learning and create knowledge-based society.

an online newsletter to feature stories, events and interesting information from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University in hope to open another window for all readers to understand more about the university and open and distance education society.

ST OU TO D A Y

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C OM M ARTS F OR ASE AN

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IN T HE SP OTL IG H T: ST OU W IL L BE H APP Y!

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C A LL FOR P APERS

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ST OU T IPS

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STOU NEWSLETTER |No. 05 Dec 2013

STOU strengthens cooperation in China From 15-19 October 2013, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chailerd Pichitpornchai, President of STOU, headed a delegation to China in the effort to strengthen academic cooperation with various institutions in China and more.

On 15 October, Dr. Chailerd, along with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Kamolrat Intaratat, and Assoc. Prof. Chantana Thongprayoon, faculty members of the STOU School of Communication Arts, and Ms. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Head of STOU International Affairs, visited the Beijing Open University and Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). During the visit to CAAS, the two parties discussed possible collaborations and signed a memorandum of understanding between STOU and Signing of MOU between STOU and CAAS Graduate School of CAAS. On 16 October, STOU delegation met with senior administrators of the Open University of China to exchange knowledge and experience regarding open education.

STOU and OUC delegations

On 17 October, the team attended the 25th ICDE World Conference on Open and Distance Education under the theme “New Strategies for Global Open, Flexible and Distance Learning”, hosted by

Tianjin Open University, China.

The world conference of the International Council for Open and Distance Education this year emphasized the importance of opening up quality education and access to knowledge for the population of the world. 700 conference participants from 40 countries heard analyses of the new and growing phenomenon of Massive Open and Online Courses (MOOCs) and other methods open education practioners had to offer in order to cope with challenges of distance education.

STOU team with participants of ICDE World Conference 2013

On 19 October, Ms. Rattip paid a visit to and strengthen relationship with Peking University. She met Dr. Jianjun Hou, Dean of the School of Distance Learning and Director of the Office of Continuing Education, and discussed distance education system of the two universities.

During China visit, STOU delegation was joined by Assoc. Prof. Rattip visiting Peking University Dr. Richard Ng, Director of Open University Malaysia’s Perak Learning Center. The trip allowed the two universities representatives to strengthen their connections through exchange of ideas and experiences.

STOU Today

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STOU Jointly Discusses collaboration with DSD

On 26 November 2013, STOU administrators led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chailerd Pichitpornchai, President of STOU, visited the Department of Skill Development (DSD) in Bangkok in order to discuss academic collaboration, and signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Mr. Nakorn Silpa-archa, Director-General of DSD. This collaboration will focus on online courses in foreign languages, especially English and the ASEAN languages, and hospitality and tourism, in order to develop labour skills in preparation for the ASEAN economic community.

STOU Participates in Royal Kathin Ceremony

On 9 November 2013, Assoc. Prof. Voravuth Thepthong, Vice-President for Administration and University Council Affairs, representing the president of STOU, presided over a ceremony for the customary donation of monks' robes for the Thot Kathin festival at Wat Jong Kham, a royal temple in the Muang district of Mae Hong Son Province. As this was a royal Kathin ceremony, STOU was donating the robes in the name of the King. In preparation for the ceremony, STOU collected donations from staff, students, alumni and the general public and offered these donations, over 1,400,000 baht, to the temple.

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STOU NEWSLETTER |No. 05 Dec 2013

STOU Welcomes Visitors from ‘Educators under the Capital Market Education Forum’

Stock Exchange of Thailand representatives presenting a token of appreciation to Asst. Prof. Dr. Suree Khemthong

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chow Rojanasang and Assoc. Prof.

Achara Cheewatragoongit giving special lecture

Paticipants observing STOU printing operations

On 21 November 2013, Asst. Prof. Dr. Suree Khemthong, Dean of the School of Management Sciences, and a group of Management Sciences faculty members welcomed a delegation of educators from the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) countries under the Capital Market Education Forum. In addition to a special lecture entitled “Developing Material for Self-Study Learning” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Chow Rojanasang and Assoc. Prof. Achara Cheewatragoongit, faculty members of the School of Management Sciences, the visiting delegation also observed STOU printing operations and toured the Office of the University Press.

STOU to offer a short-term visiting fellowship Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University is offering a short-term visiting fellowship within the framework of the AAOU Inter-University Staff Exchange Fellowship to staff from member institutions in the year 2014.

This year fellowship is seeking for applicants to propose issues about and research on digital and information literacy for distant learners. The awardee will operate in the School of Liberal Arts for 15-30 days, starting in April, as mutually agreed upon.

STOU will provide accommodation, per diem, and office facilities, while the home institution of the awardee shall bear the cost of air travel between Thailand and his/ her country and incidental expenses.

Applicants should submit curriculum vitae and project proposals on the relating topic.

The application must be endorsed by the CEO of the parent institution in regard to the funding of travel and other expenses. All documents must be written in English and submitted before 1 March 2014.

For more details, please contact STOU International Affairs at if.proffice@stou.ac.th

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STOU NEWSLETTER |No. 05 Dec 2013

STOU WILL BE HAPPY! STOU WILL BE HAPPY! STOU WILL BE HAPPY! ‘I would like to establish a happy workplace for STOU’s staff’ was one of the most promising statements from President Chailerd when asked about challenges for Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University.

To comply to that statement and the motto ‘Human resources are the heart, ICT and language are weapons,’ Asst.

Prof. Chernchok Soankwan, VicePresident for Human Resources and Systems Development and STOU HR team set up a development roadmap to promote healthy work life for the most important resource of the university.

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Job knowledge and functional area knowledge development

The university provides guidelines for faculty members and administrative staff to expand knowledge and skills that helps them to perform more effectively and successfully.

Other than seminar and training on key tasks, the university looks forward to provide doctoral degree scholarship.

HAPPY PEOPLE

There are also some methods HR team will introduce to administrative staff in order to enhance knowledge on new techniques, approaches and technologies for their jobs i.e. coaching, mentoring, attachment working, job rotation, knowledge management, in-house training and public training.

IN HAPPY

The 5-year plan for human resources development includes the following policies:

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Reinforcing Values and Competency

WORKPLACE STOU STOU

Core Core

The profound understanding about STOU Core Values will lead to develop the desired characteristics and performance according to the STOU Core Competency, which is not limited to those of planned. The university encourages schools, offices, and units to not only follow the plan, but also create their own additional competency that is corresponding with their work in specific and with the necessity for staff development.

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People skill development

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self

In order to develop personal and teamwork skills, schools and offices should arrange channels for their staff to develop in the following fields: technological skill, English skill, attitude, ethics and morality development, teamwork, p e rs on al it y , c o mm un ic at i on and coordination skills, service mind and innovative invention skill.

IN THE SPOTLIGHT

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STOU HR

General management skill development

For members who are stepping to higher level of management, strategic planning problem solving, tool & technical management and leadership are some skills and potentials they need to possess.

STOU will arrange two courses for the heads of offices and units as follow: (1) Executive Development Program: STOU-EDP (2) Supervisor Course: STOU-SUP.

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Leadership development

STOU will arrange ‘Advanced Management Program: STOU-AMP’ for personnel who is being promoted as high-level executive to foster readiness and characteristics as a good leader with capability to steer the university towards the university’s visions, missions and goals.

The main topics include change management, visionary strategy, leadership skill and innovation skill.

Asst. Prof. Chernchok soankwan

Vice-President Chernchok emphasizes that the university aims not only to improve working skills, but also working atmosphere. So, the STOU Personnel Division arranges various activities according to STOU staff’s interests to allow them to enjoy useful functions in their workplace. That is a part to create work life balance and allows STOU to be a happy workplace for happy people.

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Synergy

STOU Core Values Transparency Originality

Ubiquitous Learning

STOU Core Competency Lifelong Learning Achievement Motivation Service Mind Expertise Integrity Teamwork

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STOU NEWSLETTER |No. 05 Dec 2013

CALL FOR PAPERS

Going Global 2014 The Conference for Leaders of International Education

58th ICET World Assembly

The British Council Going Global conference delivers a global forum for world leaders of international education to debate the role the international arena plays in global tertiary education policy.

ICET 2014 will focus on systematic approaches to improving excellence in all aspects of teacher education and development. As a unique research conference, different communities come together: researchers, policy makers, and practitioners. While there is the opportunity for proposals to be refereed, and for people to write research papers, teacher education and school leadership-related policy and practice initiatives are also welcomed and encouraged.

Date

29 April - 1 May 2014

Venue

Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami, USA

Themes Inclusion, innovation and impact Going Global 2014 explores how innovation systems are formed, structured and driven globally and transnationally. Delegates will consider how talent to drive innovation is developed and how countries meet the challenge of providing sufficient high quality tertiary education to ensure the widespread inclusion and participation of their citizens. The conference will focus on what impact an internationalised higher and tertiary sector can deliver in these twin areas of innovation and inclusion. We will investigate how impact is delivered - and explore the outcomes for policy makers, funders, tertiary education stakeholders and the institutions themselves.

Homepage http://ihe.britishcouncil.org/going-global/

Annual Conference of International Council on Education for Teaching

Date

15 - 20 June 2014

Venue

University of Ontario Institute of Technology Oshawa, Ontario, Canada

Themes Moving Forward in Curriculum, Pedagogy and Leadership Subthemes: Pedagogy and Practice Inclusion and Justice Inclusion and Justice Online and Distance Education Politics and Policy Education for Sustainable Development Homepage http://www.uoit.ca/icet2014

Traveling Green

STOU TIPS

Caring for the environment might seem difficult when you’re traveling, but there are several things you can do to help without making your journey difficult.

One of the simplest is just making sure to unplug your unused appliances. Did you know that your TV still uses electricity while it’s turned off? Unplug it to save electricity and save on your bill! You can also be environmentally conscious in the transportation that you choose. Per passenger, trains tend to have lower amounts of pollution than other forms of transportation. You can also purchase a carbon offset to compensate for the emissions made by your travel arrangements. This is a donation that goes to environmentally sustainable projects, such as wind and solar energy. Just search the Internet for “carbon offset” to find out more. Next, when you’re at your destination, try to buy local products instead of goods that were made somewhere else and then shipped into the country. Finally, be responsible! Don’t step on coral, destroy plants or wildlife, or throw your garbage on the ground or in the water.

Let’s not keep ‘Green’ trend — Make it lifestyle!

STOU e-NEWSLETTER

BY I N T E R N A T I O N A L A F F A I R S U N I T , S U K H O T H A I T H A M M A T H I R A T O P E N U N I V E R S I T Y 9 / 9 THANON CHAENG WATTANA | BANGPOOD | PAKKRET | NONTHABURI | 11120 | THAILAND TEL: 662 504 7171 - 7176, 662 982 9710 FAX: 662 503 3556 EMAIL: if.proffice@stou.ac.th Advisor

: Asst. Prof. Orasa Pankhao

Chief Editor

: Ms. Rattip Phukkeson

Editorial Staff

: Ms. Alisa Meesmat, Ms. Chidchanok Bangsen, Mr. Joel Akins

Photograph

: PR STOU, STOU Photography Unit, STOU International Affairs Unit