SDG 4.3.1 Public Resources (Lifelong Learning)
Performance News and Evidence (Part 1), 2025
1. Primary SDG:
SDG 4 Quality Education
2. Related Indicators (if known):
4.3.1 Public resources (lifelong learning)
– Free courses leading to certificate
– Free access to campus facilities and equipment
– Free access to online resources
11.2.2
3. Related SDGs (if any):
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth (skills development for employment)
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (research dissemination)
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities (public access to university spaces)
SDG 14 Life Below Water
4. Category:
☒ Policy and Operations
☒ Teaching and Learning
☒ Outreach and Engagement
☒ Research and Innovation
☐ Others (please specify): __________
5. Title:
RUTS Opens Lifelong Learning Resources to the Public Free of Charge in 2025: Online Certificate Courses, Libraries, an Aquarium and Online Research Resources
6. Activity/Implementation Date:
January – December 2025
7. Responsible Unit:
– Office of Academic Promotion and Registration, with the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology (RUTS MOOC)
– Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology (libraries)
– Natural Resources and Environment Institute (Rajamangala Trang Aquarium)
– Research and Development Institute and Office of Academic Resources and Information Technology (online resources)
8. News Content:
Rajamangala University of Technology Srivijaya (RUTS) provided free access to learning resources for people who are not studying at the university throughout 2025. Three types of resources were offered. The first is RUTS MOOC, a set of online courses that award a certificate to learners who pass the assessment. The second covers the university’s libraries and aquarium, whose spaces and equipment are open to the public. The third consists of a research database and an exhibition that can be viewed online. None of these resources charge a registration fee, an entry fee or a certificate fee.
1. RUTS Offers 46 Free RUTS MOOC Online Courses with Free Certificates for the Public in 2025
(Free courses leading to certificate)
Recruitment poster for 8 hands–on workshops in 2025, marked “free registration” (Southern Border Development Centre)
Camp Management (Camping) course page on RUTS MOOC with the Enroll Now button
Throughout 2025, the university offered 46 online courses on the RUTS MOOC platform (https://lms.mooc.rmutsv.ac.th). Members of the public who are not students of the university could enrol free of charge, and learners who met a course’s assessment criteria received a certificate issued by the university at no cost. Certificates are electronic and can be downloaded as soon as the course is completed.
Sample certificate issued by the university to learners who pass
All courses were developed by the university’s own faculty members. They are designed to help people of all ages gain new skills, upskill and reskill in line with labour market needs in southern Thailand, particularly in coastal tourism, digital skills and entrepreneurship. The content spans four subject groups: communication innovation and technology, general education, business administration, and engineering and technology. Examples include Camp Management (Camping), Professional Bartending, Professional Barista Standards, Stock Photography for the Tourism Industry and Community Tour Guiding. Lessons are divided into short units, and learners study at their own pace on a computer or mobile phone. Registration requires only a first name, surname and email address, with no restrictions on age, occupation or educational background.
Learners who want hands-on practice after the online lessons can train at three centres: the Southern Border Development Centre at the Faculty of Industrial Education and Technology, Songkhla; the Gulf of Thailand Southern Development Centre at the College of Industrial Technology and Management, Nakhon Si Thammarat; and the Andaman Southern Development Centre at the College of Hospitality and Tourism, Trang. Registration for the practical workshops is free, as stated in the recruitment poster (Figure 1).
In 2025, 1,158 learners who are not RUTS students received certificates through RUTS MOOC. Five courses were updated with new content during the year.
2. RUTS Opens Libraries at Six Locations for Free Public Use of Books, Computers and Co–working Spaces in 2025
(Free access to campus facilities and equipment)
The university’s libraries at six locations allowed members of the public who are not RUTS students to use the libraries, computers, wireless internet and co–working spaces free of charge throughout 2025, so that the libraries serve as lifelong learning centres for the community. The libraries are located at Songkhla Campus, Nakhon Si Thammarat Campus (Thung Yai), Nakhon Si Thammarat Campus (Sai Yai), Nakhon Si Thammarat Campus (Khanom), Trang Campus and Rattaphum College.
RUTS Library building (Building 38)
Access for external users is governed by the RUTS Announcement on Library Service Regulations, which requires users to present a national ID card and register at the service counter. Opening hours are 08.30–18.00 on weekdays and 08.00–15.00 on weekends. Inside, external users can read books and journals, use search computers, tablets and wireless internet, and search online databases. A film streaming service is also available. Spaces open to them include reading rooms, a lounge area and co-working spaces.
Figure 7 Search computer area in the library
In 2025, external users, mainly secondary school students, teachers and local business owners, used the Songkhla campus library 738 times out of a total of 61,176 visits. Across all six campus libraries, 1,545 external users accessed the services out of 122,582 total visits.
3. Rajamangala Trang Aquarium, RUTS, Opens Free of Charge for Public Learning about Marine Resources in 2025
(Free access to campus facilities and equipment)
Online group booking announcement for the aquarium
Rajamangala Trang Aquarium is operated by the university’s Natural Resources and Environment Institute and is located on Trang Campus, Mai Fat Subdistrict, Sikao District, Trang Province. Throughout 2025, the aquarium welcomed young people, students and the general public to visit and learn free of charge, every day from 09.00 to 16.30, serving as a learning centre for the conservation of Trang’s marine and coastal resources.
An information technology room presents the underwater world of dugongs and sea turtles. In the rotating exhibition room, 3D hologram technology displays lifelike images of marine animals. The display zone holds more than 100 species of Thai and international aquatic animals, and visitors can watch a seal show. Schools, agencies and organisations visiting in groups of 15 or more book in advance through an online system.
Seal show at the aquarium
The institute uses the aquarium as a base for academic services to students and communities through hands-on learning activities, including aquatic animal care, nature surveys, mangrove planting, coral conservation. Students and members of the public can also train in aquarium management and environmental laboratory work.
In 2025, the aquarium received 85,288 visitors: 10,726 children and 73,978 adults, including both individual and group visitors.
4. RUTS Provides Free Online Access to the RISS Research Database and a Virtual Exhibition in 2025
(Free access to online resources)
Two of the university’s online learning resources were freely accessible to the public throughout 2025, with no requirement to be a student or staff member: the Research Information Srivijaya System (RISS) and a Virtual Exhibition held as part of Rajamangala Srivijaya Fair 2025.
The university disseminates its research to the public through RISS (https://riss.rmutsv.ac.th), which holds 6,970 items covering research projects, journal articles, conference papers, innovations and intellectual property. Anyone can search and read research project details without registering or paying. The information can be used for study, career development and community-based applications.
Virtual Exhibition website (srivijayafair.rmutsv.ac.th)
The Virtual Exhibition ran on 27–28 November 2025 at https://srivijayafair.rmutsv.ac.th, presenting the university’s academic work, research, inventions and innovations. Visitors of all ages could view it online free of charge and consult university staff online about further study and career paths.
In 2025, RISS recorded 154,300 visits, and the Virtual Exhibition received 23,000 visits.
Summary of Free Public Learning Resources, 2025
| Component | Resources provided | Results in 2025 |
|---|---|---|
| Free courses leading to certificate | 46 RUTS MOOC online courses and hands-on training at 3 centres | Certificates issued: 1,158 |
| Free access to campus facilities and equipment | Libraries at 6 locations Rajamangala Trang Aquarium | Libraries: 122,582 total visits. Aquarium: 85,288 visitors |
| Free access to online resources | RISS (6,970 items) Virtual Exhibition | RISS: 154,300 visits Exhibition: 23,000 visits |
9. Photos:
10. Related Links / Supporting Evidence:
(Supplementary evidence. Item 8 fully answers the indicator without opening these links.)
1. RUTS MOOC platform: https://lms.mooc.rmutsv.ac.th/courses
2. Sample course, Camp Management (Camping): https://lms.mooc.rmutsv.ac.th/courses/course-v1:RUTS_FIET+FIET011+2025T1/about
3. RUTS Library: https://library.rmutsv.ac.th/main.php
4. Rajamangala Trang Aquarium booking system: https://nrei.rmutsv.ac.th/aqsystem/Booking_aquarium/#/
5. RISS: https://riss.rmutsv.ac.th/project/
6. Virtual Exhibition: https://srivijayafair.rmutsv.ac.th/
11. Information Provider:
Asst.Prof.Dr.Chaiya Thanaphatsiri, Asst.Prof.Kloyjai Krutjon, Miss Namfon Channual