# Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University

> open university in Thailand

**Wikidata**: [Q2015579](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2015579)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sukhothai_Thammathirat_Open_University)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/sukhothai-thammathirat-open-university

## Summary
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University (STOU) is a public university located in Bang Phut, Thailand. Established in 1978, it functions as an academic institution for further education and is a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University
*   **Common Abbreviation:** STOU
*   **Location:** Bang Phut, Thailand
*   **Coordinates:** 13.91027778° N, 100.53666667° E
*   **Inception:** 1978
*   **Instance of:** University
*   **Website:** https://www.stou.ac.th/Eng/
*   **Membership:** International Council for Open and Distance Education
*   **ROR ID:** 00epajq42
*   **GRID ID:** grid.445239.d

## FAQs
### Q: When was Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University established?
A: The university was established in 1978.

### Q: Where is Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University located?
A: The university is located in Bang Phut, Thailand. Its geographic coordinates are 13.91027778 latitude and 100.53666667 longitude.

### Q: Is Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University part of any international organizations?
A: Yes, the university is a member of the International Council for Open and Distance Education.

## Why It Matters
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University serves as a significant educational institution within Thailand's academic landscape. Since its inception in 1978, it has provided access to higher education, operating distinctively as an "Open University." This classification typically emphasizes accessibility and distance learning, a role underscored by its membership in the International Council for Open and Distance Education. By bridging the gap between traditional academia and flexible learning models, STOU plays a crucial role in the further education of the population in Nonthaburi and the broader region. Its continued operation and international recognition validate its importance as a pillar of the Thai education system.

## Notable For
*   **Classification:** It is explicitly classified as an "Open University," suggesting a focus on distance education and accessible learning methodologies.
*   **International Affiliation:** It holds membership in the International Council for Open and Distance Education, linking it to global standards in distance learning.
*   **Multilingual Recognition:** The university is referenced across multiple languages and international databases, including Japanese (Sukhothai Thammathirat オープン大学) and Chinese (素可泰開放大學) variants.
*   **Extensive Identifier Coverage:** The institution possesses a wide array of academic and library identifiers (ISNI, VIAF, GND, Library of Congress), indicating a high level of global bibliographic control and recognition.

## Body

### Location and Geography
Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University is situated in Bang Phut, Thailand. The precise geographic coordinates for the institution are latitude 13.91027778 and longitude 100.53666667.

### History and Inception
The university was founded in **1978**. It operates under the classification of a university, serving as an academic institution for further education.

### Organizational Affiliations
The university maintains active memberships in relevant academic organizations. It is a confirmed member of the **International Council for Open and Distance Education** (as of records referenced in April 2024).

### Naming and Aliases
The institution is known by several names and aliases in different languages and contexts:
*   **Primary English:** Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University
*   **Abbreviation:** STOU
*   **Japanese:** Sukhothai Thammathirat オープン大学, スコータイ・タンマティベート大学, スコータイ・タンマティラート大学
*   **Chinese:** 素可泰·探玛提叻开放大学, 素可泰開放大學

### Digital and Academic Identifiers
STOU is indexed in numerous global databases and library systems, reflecting its academic standing:
*   **GRID ID:** grid.445239.d
*   **ROR ID:** 00epajq42
*   **ISNI:** 0000000406464746
*   **VIAF ID:** 158782218
*   **Library of Congress Authority ID:** n89600438
*   **GND ID:** 6510561-8
*   **Microsoft Academic ID:** 60697786 (discontinued)
*   **Quora Topic:** Sukhothai-Thammathirat-Open-University

### Online Presence
The official website for the university is **https://www.stou.ac.th/Eng/**. The university's content is available on Wikipedia in seven languages: German (de), English (en), Persian (fa), Lao (lo), Russian (ru), Thai (th), and Ukrainian (uk). It also maintains a presence on Wikimedia Commons under the category "Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University."

## References

1. Virtual International Authority File
2. [Source](https://web.archive.org/web/20240407191925/https://www.icde.org/members-community/)
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. GRID Release 2016-05-31
5. Quora
6. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
7. Microsoft Academic Knowledge Graph