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Khon Kaen University

Bachelor of Agriculture Program in Agricultural Innovation

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.

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1 Icon SDG 1: No Poverty

Alignment Summary: This program aims to reduce poverty by creating economic opportunities through agricultural innovation and entrepreneurship. Students are trained to develop and implement innovative solutions that can increase the income and resilience of farming communities.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI401Agricultural Innovation for CommunityDirectly addresses poverty by equipping students to apply innovation to solve community-level problems, thereby enhancing livelihoods and economic resilience (Target 1.4).
AGI402Entrepreneurship in Agricultural InnovationContributes to poverty reduction by empowering students to create new businesses and jobs in the agricultural sector, which can lead to increased local incomes (Target 1.2).

SDG 2 Icon SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Alignment Summary: The program is central to ending hunger by focusing on innovative technologies and practices that increase agricultural productivity and sustainability. Courses on precision agriculture, smart farming, and sustainable systems are designed to create resilient and efficient food production systems.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI202Sustainable AgricultureDirectly supports the goal of ending hunger by teaching principles of sustainable food production systems that are productive and resilient (Target 2.4).
AGI301Precision AgricultureAligns with increasing agricultural productivity by using data and technology to optimize inputs and improve crop yields, contributing to food security (Target 2.3).
AGI304Postharvest Innovation and ManagementContributes to zero hunger by teaching methods to reduce post-harvest food losses, ensuring that more of the food that is produced reaches consumers (Target 2.1).
AGI411Smart Greenhouse TechnologyPromotes sustainable and intensive food production by teaching advanced, controlled-environment agriculture, which can increase yields and ensure year-round food availability (Target 2.4).

SDG 4 Icon SDG 4: Quality Education

Alignment Summary: This program provides high-quality, future-focused education that equips students with the technical and vocational skills needed for the innovative agricultural sector. It fosters lifelong learning skills and prepares graduates for employment in roles that contribute to sustainable development.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI492Co-operative Education in Agricultural InnovationProvides quality education by integrating extensive practical work experience, substantially increasing the technical and vocational skills of students for employment (Target 4.4).
AGI491SeminarSupports lifelong learning skills by requiring students to research, analyze, and present on cutting-edge topics in agricultural innovation (Target 4.7).

SDG 6 Icon SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Alignment Summary: The program addresses water-use efficiency through the application of smart agricultural technologies. Precision agriculture and smart greenhouse systems are key to optimizing water use and protecting water resources in an agricultural context.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI301Precision AgricultureDirectly contributes to increasing water-use efficiency by using technology to apply water exactly when and where it is needed, reducing waste (Target 6.4).
AGI411Smart Greenhouse TechnologyPromotes efficient water use by teaching controlled-environment agriculture techniques, such as hydroponics and drip irrigation, which significantly reduce water consumption compared to open-field farming (Target 6.4).

SDG 7 Icon SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Alignment Summary: The curriculum supports the transition to clean energy by exploring renewable energy sources within the agricultural sector, particularly through the lens of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy model, which emphasizes the production of bioenergy.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI421BCG Model for Agricultural InnovationContributes to clean energy by teaching the principles of the Bio-economy, which includes the conversion of agricultural biomass into renewable energy, increasing the share of renewables in the energy mix (Target 7.2).

SDG 8 Icon SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alignment Summary: This program is designed to be a catalyst for economic growth and the creation of decent work by focusing on high-value, technology-driven agriculture. It prepares students to become entrepreneurs and innovators who can create and lead modern agricultural businesses.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI203Creative Economy in AgriculturePromotes sustained and inclusive economic growth by focusing on adding value to agricultural products and services through creativity and innovation (Target 8.2).
AGI402Entrepreneurship in Agricultural InnovationDirectly supports decent work and economic growth by fostering entrepreneurship and the creation of new enterprises in the high-tech agricultural sector (Target 8.3).

SDG 9 Icon SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Alignment Summary: The entire program is centered on industry, innovation, and infrastructure. It aims to build a new agricultural industry based on technology and innovation, teaching students to develop and deploy smart solutions like drones, sensors, and digital platforms to create a resilient and sustainable agricultural infrastructure.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI201Agricultural Innovation and TechnologyForms the foundation of the program, focusing on the development and application of innovative technologies to upgrade the agricultural industry (Target 9.5).
AGI204Smart Agricultural TechnologyPromotes sustainable industrialization by teaching the use of IoT, sensors, and data analytics to create intelligent and efficient farming systems (Target 9.4).
AGI302Digital Technology for Agricultural InnovationEnhances scientific research and supports technological development by focusing on the application of digital tools to solve agricultural challenges (Target 9.b).
AGI412Agricultural Drone TechnologyRepresents a specific focus on upgrading industry infrastructure by teaching the use of advanced drone technology for monitoring, mapping, and precision applications in agriculture (Target 9.4).

SDG 11 Icon SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to building resilient communities by empowering them with innovative agricultural practices. It strengthens the links between rural production and urban consumption and provides tools for sustainable community development.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI401Agricultural Innovation for CommunitySupports positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas by strengthening local and regional development planning (Target 11.A).

SDG 12 Icon SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Alignment Summary: This curriculum is fundamentally aligned with responsible production, guided by the principles of the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy. It teaches the efficient use of natural resources, the reduction of food waste through innovative postharvest techniques, and the sound management of agricultural by-products.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI202Sustainable AgriculturePromotes sustainable production patterns through the efficient management of natural resources, a core principle of the course (Target 12.2).
AGI421BCG Model for Agricultural InnovationDirectly teaches the principles of the Bio-Circular-Green economy, focusing on resource efficiency, waste reduction, and the creation of circular systems in agriculture (Target 12.5).
AGI304Postharvest Innovation and ManagementSubstantially reduces waste generation and food losses along production and supply chains by teaching innovative techniques for handling, storing, and processing agricultural products (Target 12.3 & 12.5).

SDG 13 Icon SDG 13: Climate Action

Alignment Summary: The program integrates climate action into its core teachings by promoting climate-smart agriculture. Courses on sustainable agriculture and the BCG model address climate change mitigation and adaptation by encouraging resource efficiency and the use of renewable bio-resources.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI202Sustainable AgricultureImproves education and awareness on climate change adaptation and impact reduction by promoting resilient farming systems that are better equipped to handle climate-related hazards (Target 13.3).
AGI421BCG Model for Agricultural InnovationContributes to climate action by promoting a circular economy that reduces waste and emissions, and supports the use of biomass for renewable energy, thereby integrating climate change measures into strategies (Target 13.2).

SDG 15 Icon SDG 15: Life On Land

Alignment Summary: The curriculum promotes the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems through the principles of sustainable agriculture and the BCG model. These approaches emphasize maintaining soil health, reducing land degradation, and integrating biodiversity into agricultural landscapes.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI202Sustainable AgricultureDirectly supports the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems by teaching practices that protect soil, water, and biodiversity (Target 15.1).

SDG 16 Icon SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to building effective and inclusive institutions by educating students on the laws and standards that govern agricultural innovation. This knowledge is essential for ensuring that new technologies and businesses operate within a fair, transparent, and accountable framework.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI303Laws and Standards for Agricultural InnovationContributes to developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions by ensuring that students understand the legal and regulatory frameworks that govern the agricultural sector (Target 16.6).

SDG 17 Icon SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Alignment Summary: The program actively fosters partnerships through its emphasis on community engagement, entrepreneurship, and cooperative education. Graduates are trained to work collaboratively with communities, government, and industry to develop and disseminate agricultural innovations for sustainable development.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AGI401Agricultural Innovation for CommunityPromotes multi-stakeholder partnerships by training students to work directly with communities to co-create and implement sustainable agricultural solutions (Target 17.17).
AGI492Co-operative Education in Agricultural InnovationBuilds effective public-private and civil society partnerships by placing students in real-world work environments, fostering collaboration between academia and industry (Target 17.17).