Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) and the Learning Institute for Everyone (LIFE) have announced a significant academic collaboration aimed at establishing dual bachelor’s degree programs in STOU’s School of Agriculture and Cooperatives and LIFE’s Faculty of Liberal Arts. This partnership will enable students to earn two degrees simultaneously, meeting the demands of modern learners and the evolving job market.
This impactful partnership began with a visit on 18 February 2025, by a delegation from STOU, led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phanompatt Smitananda, Member of the University Council and Acting President, along with faculty members from the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives. The purpose of their visit to LIFE in Samut Songkhram Province was to discuss promoting academic programs and exploring collaborative opportunities.
The meeting was hosted by Dr. Sakphong Homhual, Acting President of LIFE, and attended by key executives, including Assoc. Prof. Dr. Supakarn Siripaisan, Dean of the Graduate School, and Dean Phumjai Raidee of the Faculty of Liberal Arts. This initial discussion laid the crucial groundwork for the subsequent academic cooperation.
Following these preliminary talks, STOU organized a working group meeting on 8 April 2025, to draft the initial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). During this visit, LIFE representatives also toured STOU’s Educational Broadcasting Production Center (EBPC), highlighting a shared interest in media-based learning and innovation.
The official signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) took place on June 10, 2025, in Meeting Room 1514 at Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University, hosted by the School of Agriculture and Cooperatives. Associate Professor Dr. Phanomphat Samitanon and Dr. Sakphong Homhual formally signed the agreement, witnessed by executives from both institutions.
Associate Professor Dr. Phanomphat Samitanon described the collaboration as “opening a new dimension of boundless educational management.” He emphasized that STOU, with its strengths in distance education and highly demanded fields like agriculture and cooperatives, will join forces with LIFE, which specializes in community outreach and flexible education. This partnership aims to produce graduates with diverse skills, meeting labor market demands and fostering sustainable self-development.
Dr. Sakphong Homhual added, “This is a significant opportunity for students and communities to access knowledge from a leading higher education institution like STOU. Integrating knowledge from our Faculty of Liberal Arts with STOU’s agricultural expertise will cultivate graduates who possess both professional knowledge and social skills, enabling them to genuinely apply their learning for local development.”
Under this MOU, students will be able to enroll in a dual degree program, initially focusing on STOU’s School of Agriculture and Cooperatives and LIFE’s Faculty of Liberal Arts as pilot programs. Plans are in place to expand to other fields of study in the future. Beyond the degree programs, the collaboration also encompasses:
- The development of short-term learning modules.
- Certificate programs.
- Joint personnel development through collaborative research and academic services.
Both institutions will meticulously plan the practical aspects of educational management, from student admission and credit transfer to professional experience training, assessment, and evaluation. This comprehensive planning ensures a smooth and highly effective collaborative educational process.
This partnership marks a crucial step in reforming Thai higher education, with the ultimate benefit of the learner at its core. It is expected to enhance educational opportunities and broaden access to quality education for diverse communities.
