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Khon Kaen University

Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agricultural Extension and Development

SDG Alignment for Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agricultural Extension and Development

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agricultural Extension and Development is fundamentally designed to produce leaders and innovators capable of addressing the multifaceted challenges of sustainable development. The program's core philosophy centers on creating social innovations and utilizing participatory, area-based approaches to strengthen agricultural communities, making a profound contribution to SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). By focusing on sustainable practices, community analysis, and agricultural entrepreneurship, the curriculum equips graduates to improve farmer livelihoods, enhance food security, and build resilient agricultural systems.

As a doctoral program, it is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education), fostering lifelong learning skills and the creation of new knowledge to tackle real-world problems. The curriculum's emphasis on adapting to climate change, integrating digital technology, and developing sustainable policies aligns strongly with SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Furthermore, by teaching participatory research and community empowerment techniques, the program actively promotes SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and strengthens the capacity for building sustainable and just local institutions, directly supporting SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1 Icon SDG 1: No Poverty

Alignment Summary: This program directly tackles poverty by developing experts who can enhance agricultural livelihoods. Through courses focused on improving farming systems, developing community-based agribusiness, and effective technology transfer, graduates are equipped to create economic opportunities and build resilience for farmers, contributing to poverty reduction in rural areas.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 101Agricultural Extension MethodologySupports poverty reduction by training experts to effectively transfer technology and knowledge to farmers, thereby enhancing their productivity and income (Metric 1.1).
AG 167 202Development of Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness in CommunityDirectly addresses Target 1.4 by equipping communities to build economic resilience through the development of local agricultural businesses, ensuring access to economic resources.

SDG 2 Icon SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Alignment Summary: The curriculum is fundamentally aimed at achieving food security and promoting sustainable agriculture. Courses on innovation, agricultural development, and community analysis directly contribute to creating resilient and productive food systems. Graduates are prepared to conduct research and implement practices that enhance food production while ensuring environmental sustainability.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 102Innovation for Agricultural Extension and DevelopmentAligns with Target 2.4 by focusing on innovations that ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices.
AG 167 201Development and Administration in AgricultureDirectly supports Target 2.4 by teaching the formulation of strategies and policies for sustainable agricultural development, which is crucial for ending hunger.

SDG 4 Icon SDG 4: Quality Education

Alignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum represents the pinnacle of quality education, designed to create academic and professional leaders. It fosters lifelong learning skills, research capabilities, and the ability to transfer knowledge effectively, ensuring graduates have the advanced technical and vocational skills needed for high-level employment in academia, research, and development.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 001Research Methodology in Agricultural Extension and DevelopmentDirectly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with advanced technical and research skills for high-level employment.
AG 167 401Communication and Psychology for Agricultural DevelopmentEnhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by providing graduates with the skills needed to effectively communicate and transfer knowledge.
AG 169 996/998/999DissertationRepresents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical skills for innovation and employment (Target 4.4).

SDG 8 Icon SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to sustained and inclusive economic growth by fostering agricultural entrepreneurship at the community level. By training experts who can develop local agribusinesses, the curriculum helps create decent work opportunities and supports the economic development of rural communities.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 202Development of Agricultural Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness in CommunityDirectly aligns with Target 8.3 by promoting development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, and entrepreneurship in rural communities.

SDG 9 Icon SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Alignment Summary: The curriculum fosters innovation in the agricultural sector by integrating modern technology and social innovation. Courses on digital technology, GIS, and agricultural innovation prepare graduates to upgrade the technological capabilities of the agricultural industry and build resilient, sustainable infrastructure.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 102Innovation for Agricultural Extension and DevelopmentAligns with Target 9.5 by enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities through the study of social and agricultural innovations.
AG 167 303Geographic Information System for Agricultural Extension and DevelopmentPromotes innovation and resilient infrastructure by teaching the use of GIS technology for agricultural planning and development.
AG 167 402Digital Technology and Knowledge Management for Agricultural Extension and DevelopmentSupports Target 9.c by teaching the application of information and communications technology to enhance agricultural systems.

SDG 10 Icon SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Alignment Summary: The program actively works to reduce inequalities by training experts in participatory approaches that empower local communities. By focusing on inclusive development and giving a voice to farmers and community members, the curriculum helps to ensure that development policies and practices are equitable and benefit all.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 302Facilitator and Participatory Action ResearchDirectly supports Target 10.2 by teaching methods that empower and promote the social and economic inclusion of all, irrespective of their background, through participatory development.

SDG 11 Icon SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to creating sustainable communities by focusing on participatory community analysis and area-based development. Graduates learn to work with communities to identify their strengths and challenges, leading to the development of inclusive and resilient local agricultural systems that strengthen the link between rural and urban areas.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 301System Theory and Community Analysis for Agricultural DevelopmentAligns with Target 11.a by supporting positive economic, social, and environmental links between urban, peri-urban, and rural areas through integrated community development planning.

SDG 12 Icon SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Alignment Summary: This program promotes responsible production patterns by embedding principles of sustainability throughout its curriculum. By studying and developing agricultural systems that are environmentally friendly and resource-efficient, as outlined in the BCG economic model, the program directly contributes to more sustainable production chains.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 201Development and Administration in AgricultureAligns with Target 12.2 by focusing on the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources within agricultural systems, a key component of the BCG model mentioned in the course description.

SDG 13 Icon SDG 13: Climate Action

Alignment Summary: The program directly addresses climate action by preparing graduates to develop agricultural systems that are resilient to climate change. The curriculum explicitly includes the study of climate change impacts and the formulation of policies and strategies to build adaptive capacity in the agricultural sector.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 201Development and Administration in AgricultureDirectly supports Target 13.2 by integrating climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning, as explicitly mentioned in the course content.

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

Alignment Summary: The curriculum helps build strong and accountable institutions by training graduates in policy development, participatory processes, and ethical practices. By focusing on effective and inclusive governance in the agricultural sector, the program contributes to creating more just and transparent systems that serve the needs of communities.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 201Development and Administration in AgricultureAligns with Target 16.6 by developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions through education on policy formulation and administration in the agricultural sector.
AG 167 302Facilitator and Participatory Action ResearchContributes to responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making (Target 16.7) by training experts in methods that empower local communities.

SDG 17 Icon SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Alignment Summary: This program fosters partnerships for sustainable development by enhancing the capacity for communication and knowledge sharing. Courses focused on communication skills and technology transfer equip graduates to build effective multi-stakeholder partnerships between researchers, government agencies, private sector actors, and farming communities to achieve the SDGs.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG 167 401Communication and Psychology for Agricultural DevelopmentEnhances the global partnership for sustainable development by improving the capacity for communication and knowledge-sharing (Target 17.6), which is essential for effective technology transfer.