Khon Kaen University

SDG Alignment for Doctor of Philosophy Program in Fisheries

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Fisheries is fundamentally aligned with the principles of sustainable development. Its core philosophy emphasizes research-based problem-solving to address the complex challenges facing global and local fisheries, such as climate change impacts, food security, and environmental degradation. The curriculum is designed to produce experts capable of generating new knowledge and innovative practices, directly contributing to several key Sustainable Development Goals. The program's intensive focus on aquatic ecosystems, sustainable resource management, and water quality makes it a powerful contributor to SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). By advancing knowledge in sustainable aquaculture, feed technology, and disease control, it directly supports the goal of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger). Furthermore, its emphasis on responsible production, waste utilization, and developing functional foods aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). As a doctoral-level program, it inherently promotes SDG 4 (Quality Education) and fosters the global partnerships and knowledge exchange essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Best Practices

        Doctor of Philosophy Program in Fisheries at Khon Kaen University has advanced sustainable development by giving local communities real understanding about fisheries knowledge. The Fisheries Program at the Faculty of Agriculture worked with the Muang Kao Sub-district Municipality in Khon Kaen Province to put on a workshop called "Low-wate Fisheries" at the Fisheries Section on July 31, 2025. This project used what students learned in the Doctoral Program in Fisheries course AG 187 732: Fisheries Resource Management and Utilization to help solve problems with water scarcity and the community's urgent need for food security in Northeast Thailand.
        Fifty farmers from Muang Kao Municipality participated in the session. It had experts like Associate Professor Dr. Pornthep Niamphiak, Head of Fisheries Program, Associate Professor Dr. Siripawi Charoenwatthasak, and Mr. Kampol Thaiso, Fisheries Section Manager. They share information about sustainable aquaculture, especially breeding systems that are water efficient and environmentally friendly breeding systems. They show how to raise frogs and catfish in a cage on land, which reduced water resource use, improved use of land, and gave farmers a steady stream of extra income.
        As a result of the training, 50 farmers gained knowledge and skills in sustainable aquaculture management according to the Bio-Circular-Green Economy (BCG) Model. They can use these methods right away in their own area, which helps with water scarcity during droughts, enhances food security, and raises household income. This action helps to reduce economic inequality in rural areas and establishes a model for environmentally friendly occupations that can be expanded to other communities in the future.
        This action is obviously in line with SDG 2: Zero Hunger, notably Target 2.3, which aims to boost the agricultural productivity and income of small-scale farmers by giving them fair access to knowledge, technology, and markets. It also promotes SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by encouraging the efficient use of water resources in a way that is good for the environment and follows the principles for the circular economy. Furthermore, it promotes SDG 4: Quality Education by sharing modern, sustainable fisheries knowledge and professional skills from educational institutions to local communities. This creates a lifelong learning ecosystem that enhances the capacity of farmers to become knowledgeable entrepreneurs with skills for sustainable career development.

        The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Program in Fisheries at Khon Kaen University has driven academic excellence and leadership in sustainability by focusing on the creation of knowledge and innovation to address complex challenges in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, particularly the global food security crisis, climate change, and the rising demand for higher food safety standards. This curriculum emphasizes research integration through high-impact doctoral dissertations, leveraging in-depth content from key courses directly related to sustainable development, such as Advanced Statistics and Research Methods in Fisheries (AG 189 931), which enhances advanced data analysis skills; Intensive Aquaculture Systems (AG 189 921), which focuses on increasing production efficiency per unit area; and Shrimp Pathology (AG 189 941), which emphasizes disease management to reduce losses and ensure food safety.
        The tangible and quantitative outcomes of this practice-based learning approach are demonstrated by the requirement that each thesis, or a part thereof, must be published or accepted for publication in at least one international journal indexed in SCOPUS or Web of Science. This mechanism ensures the genuine transfer of innovation and knowledge to industry and practitioner communities.
        The resulting broad and sustainable impact is the enhancement of the national aquaculture system's resilience to environmental fluctuations and the establishment of sustainable seafood security. This activity is therefore strategically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a clear focus on advancing SDG 14 (Life Below Water) through the generation of knowledge and technology for the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources; SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by improving the quality and safety of aquatic products for food security; and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by using advanced research as the core driver of innovation and competitiveness in Thailand's fisheries industry.