AWARDS AND DISTINCTIONS
1982 – UNESCO names STOU the leading institution in the Consortium on Innovation in Higher Education in Asia and the Pacific. STOU starts building partnerships in Asia and the rest of the world and hosts the 57th World Assembly of the International Council on Education for Teaching.
1984 – STOU receives the Silver Conch Award from the Public Relations Society of Thailand for using mass media and public relations technology to develop a distance learning system that could meet the needs of Thai people and provide equal opportunities for higher education in Thailand.
1992 and 2002 – STOU receives the Mekhala Television Award for the outstanding production of educational television programs.
1992 – STOU receives the Award for Excellence in Media Production for Youth awarded by the Government of Thailand's Office of Welfare Promotion and Protection and Empowerment of Vulnerable Groups for producing computer assisted instruction programs on Basic English language skills. This program also won the Gold Medal Award for Computer Assisted Instruction (CAI) awarded by the Office of Formal and Non-formal Education of the Ministry of Education.
1993 – STOU receives the Asian Management Award in the category of development management in distance education.
1995 – STOU was recognized for its achievements in distance education management and receives the Award of Excellence from the International Council for Distance Education and the Commonwealth of Learning.
2004 and 2010 – STOU receives the Suriyasasithorn Award for best design and production of commemorative cards.
2015 - UNESCO WENHUI AWARD FOR EDUCATIONAL INNOVATION. Honorable Commendation, "Developing and Enhancing ICT Skills of Marginalized and Disadvantaged Groups Working in Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises in Thailand and ASEAN".
2015 - GEM-TECH AWARDS, Application of Technology for Women's Empowerment. UN Women and the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
MISSION
STOU School of Communication Arts mission is to:
Offer access to training and credentials that advance individual careers.
Strengthen communities, organizations and social institutions to participate in knowledge-based society.
Research, develop and promote ASEAN knowledge and culture.
HISTORY
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", before his accession to the throne.
On 24 October 1978, His Majesty issued royal mandates appointing the first University Council and Professor Dr. Wichit Srisa-an as the first president of the university. After two years, on 1 December 1980, STOU delivered its first academic courses. Three schools were founded: The School of Educational Studies, The School of Liberal Arts and The School of Management Science. STOU was the first Open University in Southeast Asia to use distance education as the main learning system.
STOU School of Communication Arts was founded in 1984. In this year, the first distance learning Bachelor of Arts in Communication program was offered. The School recognizes the important role of Communication to achieve the goals set by the ASEAN Community and has developed in 2014, together with expert international faculty members, the first distance learning M.A. in Communication Arts for ASEAN.
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.
VISION & MISSION
VISION
STOU School of Communication Arts aims to become the leader in Communication through distance education providing lifelong learning for all.
MISSION
STOU School of Communication Arts mission is to:
Offer access to training and credentials that advance individual careers.
Strengthen communities, organizations and social institutions to participate in knowledge-based society.
Research, develop and promote ASEAN knowledge and culture.