Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University organized a cultural exchange project for the professors and students of the International Open College (IOC) from Malaysia between 22–25 November 2014.  The program included lectures on “The Learning and Teaching Systems, Academic Affairs, and Student Services of STOU” by Prof. Dr. Sumalee Sungsri, and “Thai Culture and Language,” by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Areerak Meejaeng.  The purpose of the program was to expand the academic knowledge as well as to provide Thai culture experience outside of the classroom by going on field trips in both Bangkok Metropolis and Nonthaburi Province, where IOC professors and students were able to enjoy local culture at Koh Kred.

In addition to this, on 24 November 2014, the university organized a “Thai-Malaysian Cultural Night” activity, providing students from STOU and the IOC with the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and exchange their experiences in the performing arts and music.  There were many distinguished guests presented at the event including: Mr. Amir Farid Abu Hassan, First Secretary of the Embassy of Malaysia in Bangkok, Dr. Ninnat Olanworawut, Secretary of the Association of Southeast Asian Institute for Higher Learning (ASAIHL) and Prof. Emeritus Tan Sri Dr. Anuwar Ali, President/ Vice-Chancellor of Open University Malaysia (OUM).

The cultural exchange project between STOU and the IOC was established in 2013 at OUM and IOC in Malaysia. Dr. Siti Aishah Hashim Ali, the Director of the International Open College, having foreseen the benefits which the students could experience from the project by studying outside of the classroom, established the current cultural exchange project.  The participants look forward to continuing the project on an ongoing basis in the future.