Khon Kaen University Logo

Khon Kaen University

Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (International Program)

SDG Alignment for Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (International Program)

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agricultural and Environmental Sciences is inherently multidisciplinary, designed to produce researchers and leaders who can address the complex interplay between agriculture, the environment, and sustainable development. The program's philosophy emphasizes the generation of innovative knowledge to solve real-world problems, positioning it as a powerful contributor to numerous Sustainable Development Goals. Its core focus on sustainable agricultural systems, crop production, and soil science directly supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty) by enhancing food security and improving agricultural productivity. The curriculum's strong emphasis on environmental science, including waste management, water quality, and climate change adaptation, establishes a direct and significant alignment with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). As an advanced international doctoral program, it is a clear pillar of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and inherently fosters the global collaborations necessary for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1 Icon SDG 1: No Poverty

Alignment Summary: The program addresses poverty by advancing agricultural science to improve crop yields and create more resilient farming systems. By training experts who can develop and disseminate knowledge on sustainable agricultural practices, the program helps to enhance the livelihoods and economic stability of farming communities, which are often among the most vulnerable to poverty.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 811Advanced Agricultural System ManagementContributes to poverty reduction by teaching principles of sustainable agricultural management, which can increase productivity and income for small-scale farmers, thereby building resilience against economic shocks (Target 1.5).

SDG 2 Icon SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Alignment Summary: This program is centrally focused on ending hunger by training top-tier scientists to improve agricultural productivity and sustainability. Courses cover a wide range of topics from advanced crop physiology and soil science to integrated pest management and postharvest technology, all aimed at creating resilient, high-yield agricultural systems to ensure a stable and nutritious food supply.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 711Advanced Crop PhysiologyDirectly addresses the need to increase food production (Target 2.3) by providing in-depth knowledge of plant physiological processes, which is essential for developing higher-yielding and more resilient crop varieties.
134 721Advanced Soil ScienceContributes to sustainable agriculture and food security (Target 2.4) by teaching the principles of soil fertility management and conservation, which are fundamental to maintaining long-term agricultural productivity.
134 741Advanced Plant PathologySupports the goal of ending hunger by focusing on the diagnosis and management of plant diseases, which is critical for preventing crop losses and ensuring a stable food supply (Target 2.1).
134 751Advanced EntomologyAligns with Target 2.4 by teaching integrated pest management strategies that help maintain the sustainability of food production systems by reducing crop losses due to insect pests.
134 813Advanced Postharvest Technology of Agricultural ProduceDirectly addresses food security by focusing on technologies to reduce post-harvest losses, ensuring that more of the food that is produced reaches consumers (Target 2.1).

SDG 4 Icon SDG 4: Quality Education

Alignment Summary: As an international Doctor of Philosophy program, this curriculum represents the highest level of quality education. It is designed to create a new generation of researchers and academic leaders equipped with advanced scientific knowledge and research skills. The program fosters lifelong learning and provides the specialized training necessary for high-level employment in academia, research institutions, and industry, thereby increasing the number of adults with relevant technical and vocational skills.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
130 791Scientific Writing and PresentationDirectly supports quality education by developing essential skills for effective scientific communication, which is crucial for disseminating research and participating in the global academic community (Target 4.7).
130 897SeminarPromotes lifelong learning skills (Target 4.3) by providing a platform for students to engage with cutting-edge research, critically evaluate scientific literature, and present their own findings.
130 999DissertationRepresents the pinnacle of quality education, where students conduct original research to generate new knowledge, thereby acquiring superior technical and vocational skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship (Target 4.4).

SDG 6 Icon SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water by addressing the impacts of agriculture on water quality. Through its focus on environmental science and soil management, the curriculum provides knowledge on how to mitigate pollution from agricultural runoff and improve water-use efficiency, thereby protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 721Advanced Soil ScienceAligns with Target 6.3 by improving water quality through the study of soil processes that can reduce pollution and control the release of contaminants from agricultural lands into water bodies.
134 832Environmental Pollution and ControlDirectly addresses the need for clean water by providing advanced knowledge on the sources of environmental pollution, including water pollution, and the scientific principles for its control and mitigation (Target 6.3).

SDG 7 Icon SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Alignment Summary: The program touches upon clean energy through its focus on sustainable agricultural systems. By exploring topics like biomass and the efficient use of resources in agriculture, it contributes to the knowledge base needed to develop renewable energy sources derived from agricultural by-products.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 811Advanced Agricultural System ManagementContributes to clean energy by exploring sustainable agricultural systems, which can include the integration of biomass energy production and the efficient use of energy resources on farms (Target 7.2).

SDG 8 Icon SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alignment Summary: The program supports sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by training highly skilled professionals for the agricultural sector. By focusing on improving agricultural productivity, developing new technologies, and managing resources efficiently, graduates are prepared to contribute to a more productive and innovative agricultural economy, which is a key driver of economic growth and decent work, particularly in rural areas.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 811Advanced Agricultural System ManagementPromotes sustained economic growth (Target 8.1) by teaching advanced management practices that increase the productivity and economic viability of agricultural enterprises.
134 813Advanced Postharvest Technology of Agricultural ProduceContributes to higher levels of economic productivity (Target 8.2) by focusing on value-added processing and reducing losses in the agricultural supply chain.

SDG 11 Icon SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to creating sustainable communities by addressing the environmental impacts of human activities. The course on environmental pollution provides the scientific foundation for managing waste and pollution, which is crucial for making both urban and rural settlements more inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 832Environmental Pollution and ControlAligns with Target 11.6 by reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities through the study and application of pollution control principles and sustainable waste management.

SDG 12 Icon SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Alignment Summary: The program strongly promotes responsible production patterns by focusing on sustainable agriculture and the efficient use of natural resources. Courses on soil science, postharvest technology, and environmental pollution are all geared towards achieving the sustainable management of natural resources, reducing food losses, and ensuring the environmentally sound management of waste.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 721Advanced Soil SciencePromotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by teaching principles of soil conservation and fertility management.
134 813Advanced Postharvest Technology of Agricultural ProduceDirectly supports the goal of halving per capita global food waste by focusing on methods to substantially reduce food losses along production and supply chains (Target 12.3).
134 832Environmental Pollution and ControlContributes to the environmentally sound management of wastes throughout their life cycle, significantly reducing their release to air, water, and soil to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment (Target 12.4).

SDG 13 Icon SDG 13: Climate Action

Alignment Summary: The program directly addresses climate action by training scientists to develop agricultural and environmental systems that are resilient to climate change. The curriculum integrates knowledge on climate change impacts, adaptation strategies, and mitigation measures, thereby strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 831Climate Change and AgricultureThis course is centrally focused on strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards (Target 13.1) by examining the impacts of climate change on agriculture and exploring adaptation and mitigation strategies.

SDG 14 Icon SDG 14: Life Below Water

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems by addressing land-based sources of pollution. The course on environmental pollution provides critical knowledge on how to prevent and reduce marine pollution, particularly from agricultural runoff, which is a major threat to life below water.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 832Environmental Pollution and ControlDirectly aligns with Target 14.1 by providing the scientific knowledge to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including nutrient pollution from agriculture.

SDG 15 Icon SDG 15: Life on Land

Alignment Summary: The curriculum is strongly aligned with protecting terrestrial ecosystems. It provides advanced knowledge on soil science, land management, and the control of environmental pollution, all of which are essential for combating desertification, halting and reversing land degradation, and promoting the sustainable use of land-based ecosystems.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
134 721Advanced Soil ScienceDirectly contributes to Target 15.3 by providing expert knowledge on how to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil, which is essential for ensuring the health of terrestrial ecosystems.
134 811Advanced Agricultural System ManagementPromotes the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.2) by teaching the principles of sustainable management of agricultural systems to ensure the conservation and long-term productivity of land resources.
134 832Environmental Pollution and ControlSupports the protection of terrestrial ecosystems by providing knowledge on how to manage and control pollution from various sources, which is critical for maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem health (Target 15.5).

SDG 17 Icon SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Alignment Summary: As an international doctoral program, it inherently fosters partnerships for sustainable development. The research and seminar components require students to engage with the global scientific community, promoting the North-South, South-South, and triangular cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation that is essential for addressing the complex challenges of the SDGs.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
130 791Scientific Writing and PresentationEnhances the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by equipping researchers with the skills to effectively share scientific and technological knowledge with the international community.
130 897SeminarPromotes multi-stakeholder partnerships (Target 17.16) by providing a platform for students to engage with and present on the latest global research, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
130 999DissertationRepresents a significant contribution to global partnerships by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges in agriculture and the environment (Target 17.17).