Imagine a huge Center for Distance Education

Imagine a huge institution similar to the Center for Distance Education at the University of Alaska Fairbanks that has an entire building dedicated to printing and producing books using offset and electronic technology, that delivers 75,000 course packs a year, that has 10 regional centers and many tutoring areas in libraries and schools. Imagine that the huge CDE has a faculty and grants degrees, but that it has no classrooms because all the courses are delivered primarily by correspondence. Imagine that the center has an excellent advising and tutoring service and that you have a telephone advising center and web board staffed 12 hours a day. Imagine that there are four studios for TV production and, I believe four sound labs for audio production. What you have imagined is Sukhothai Thammathirat Open University. Today was our first visit and I was impressed by the dedication and commitment of the staff to meeting students needs.

Today we meet with the Educational Broadcasting Production Center, The Office of the University Press, the Office of Educational Services, and the National Printing Technology Training Center. Tomorrow we will visit with the Office of Documentation and Information and the Office of Registration, Records, and Evaluations. On September 22nd we will visit a Regional Distance Education Center and Nakhon Nayok.

We have an excellent person give us an orientation and who will be able to provide support to us during the time at STOU. Her name is Warakanya (Anne). I have her cell phone number listed at number one in my phone book, of course her name begins with A so that helps also. The person who leads the Counseling Section of the Office of Educational Services, Nednapa, reminded me of Michele Stalder. She even mentioned providing one stop service for her students.

I will have an office cubical with a computer, I asked for Jit to be considered my full partner in my time at STOU, and the idea seemed to be accepted. It also looks like we will be staying at Bangkrachao and commuting to STOU. There is an express way that goes from Klong Toey dock to STOU. It costs roughly 250 baht to go each way, including toll fees, roughly $6.00, which is fair price.

I am excited about the first visit to STOU. I also gave Anne my list of places that I want to visit, and she seemed interested in what I was trying to do.

I am thankful that I was invited to STOU for my sabbatical.

Oh yes, I need to tuck in my shirt tails, or get a special kind of Thai shirt. Dress, and the style of dress for faculty and staff is very consistent. Jit clued me in.