A delegation from Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU), led by Acting President Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, participated in the 37th Annual Conference of the Asian Association of Open Universities (AAOU 2024) held in Islamabad, Pakistan from 15-17 October 2024. The theme of the conference was “Expanding Horizons: Innovation in Open and Distance Learning.”
The conference aimed to provide a platform for researchers and practitioners to present and discuss a wide range of topics related to open learning and distance education as well as foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among members of
the Asian Association of Open Universities. The key topics discussed at the conference included:
– Increasing access and quality in ODL
– Innovative delivery modes
– The impact of rapidly evolving educational technologies such as Generative AI
– Learner support systems
– The effects of Covid-19 period on open and distance learning practices
– Management of ODL
– New pedagogical approaches
– Re-considering the roles of open universities
– Online assessment and evaluation
Among over 270 participants from 22 countries attended the AAOU 2024 conference, STOU administrators have involved in the following events in conference: Asst. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Acting President, and Mrs. Rattip Phukkeson, Acting Director of the Department of International Affairs, represented STOU at the AAOU General Board Meeting.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Gan Chanyawudhiwan, Acting Vice-President for Academic Services, Cultural Preservation, and International Affairs, was honored by the AAOU as the Chair of the Adjudication Committee for the AAOU Young Innovator Award 2024.
He also chaired a session on “Increasing access and quality in ODL.” Assoc. Prof. Dr. Khajornsak Sitthi, Director of the Office of Educational Services, served as a Member of the Adjudication Committee for the Best Paper Award 2024.
