Khon Kaen University

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Agriculture Program in Agricultural Innovation

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Agriculture Program in Agricultural Innovation is strategically designed to cultivate a new generation of agricultural leaders equipped to drive sustainable change. The curriculum's philosophy, deeply rooted in the principles of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy, creates a powerful and direct alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals. By focusing on smart agricultural technologies, precision farming, and innovative postharvest management, the program directly contributes to enhancing food security and promoting sustainable agriculture (SDG 2). Its core emphasis on technology and innovation fosters resilient infrastructure and sustainable industrialization within the agricultural sector (SDG 9). The program champions responsible consumption and production by teaching resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the application of circular economy principles (SDG 12). Furthermore, courses on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and community-focused innovation address key environmental and social goals, including climate action (SDG 13), life on land (SDG 15), and poverty reduction through entrepreneurship (SDG 1, SDG 8). The entire program is a vehicle for quality education (SDG 4) that prepares graduates to build partnerships (SDG 17) for a sustainable future.

Best Practices

        Khon Kaen University, a leading higher education institution, is strongly committed to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The university has developed its Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Innovation program (Revised Curriculum 2024) using the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) approach. The program's primary objective is to produce "new generation graduates" who become "smart agricultural entrepreneurs" equipped to address challenges such as food security and climate change. The curriculum integrated core courses in digital technology and innovation, such as big data analysis for agriculture and the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture, as well as specialized practical courses like AG 134 601: Techniques and Applications of Plant Tissue Culture, along with the Capstone Project in Agri-Innovation. These are where students work on real problems in real-world situations (Work-Integrated Learning: WIL).
        Students learn to design and develop innovative products and processes based on the principles of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG Economy). The focus is on value creation and reducing waste (Zero Waste) throughout the supply chain.
        The program delivers tangible outcomes such as graduates from this program have outstanding analytical and creative thinking skills. They are able to develop "agri-innovative business models" that, for example, can reduce production costs by 20% and increase profits by 35% in the first year. These achievements create a sustainable strategic impact on the agricultural sector, moving towards high-value, technology-driven industries. The curriculum's activities are clearly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, specifically SDG 2: Zero Hunger (promoting climate-adaptive sustainable agriculture for food security), SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (using innovation and digital technology to advance the agricultural industry), and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production (developing environmentally friendly production models following BCG principles).

        Khon Kaen University, a distinguished institution of higher education dedicated to advancing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), has developed its Bachelor of Agricultural Science Program in Agricultural Innovation (Revised Curriculum 2024), which follows the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) approach. The program goal is to produce a new generation of graduates who are "smart agricultural entrepreneurs" equipped to face challenges such as food security and climate change. The curriculum combines core courses in digital technology and innovation, such as big data analysis for agriculture and the use of artificial intelligence in agriculture, with specialized practical courses like AG 134 601: Techniques and Applications of Plant Tissue Culture, as well as the Capstone Project in Agri-Innovation. These are combined with real-world practice through Work Integrated Learning (WIL).
        Students are instructed in the design and development of innovative products and processes in accordance with the Bio-Circular-Green (ECG) Economy model. The objective is to achieve zero waste by reducing waste and increasing value through the supply chain.
        The tangible outcomes of this program are producing graduates with outstanding analytical and creative thinking skills who can develop "agri-innovation business models" that, for example, reduce production costs by 20% and increase profits by 35% in the first year. These achievements create a sustainable strategic impact, raising the agricultural sector to a high-value, technology-driven industry.
        The curriculum's activities are clearly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

        Khon Kaen University has developed the Bachelor of Agriculture Program in Agricultural Innovation using the Outcome-Based Education (OBE) approach. The goal is to produce a "new generation" of graduates who become "smart agricultural entrepreneurs" ready to address challenges like food security and climate change.
        The curriculum combines core courses in digital technology and innovation, such as big data analysis in agriculture. It also offers practical, specialized courses, such as AG 134 601: Techniques and Applications of Plant Tissue Culture, as well as the Capstone Project in Agri-Innovation. These are integrated with real-world experience through Work-Integrated Learning (WIL), helping students to design and develop innovative products and processes based on the principle of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model, which focuses on adding value and reducing waste (Zero Waste).
        The tangible outcomes are clear: graduates of this program have outstanding analytical and creative skills. They can develop "agi-innovation business models" that, for example, reduce production costs by 20% and increase profits by 35% in their first year.
        These curriculum activities are strongly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, especially SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.