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Khon Kaen University

Master of Science Program in Agricultural and Environmental Science (International Program)

SDG Alignment for Master of Science Program in Agricultural and Environmental Science (International Program)

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Science Program in Agricultural and Environmental Science provides an interdisciplinary, research-based education designed to address the complex and interconnected challenges of modern agriculture and environmental stewardship. The curriculum is holistically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals, preparing graduates to innovate and lead in creating sustainable food systems. The program's core focus on sustainable production methods, including organic agriculture and precision farming, directly supports SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Its strong emphasis on environmental management, including the remediation of contaminated land, pollution control, and sustainable management of soil and water, makes significant contributions to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By integrating advanced technologies like biotechnology, GIS, and remote sensing, the program fosters innovation in line with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Furthermore, the inclusion of agribusiness and community development components addresses economic resilience, supporting SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). As an advanced international program, it is a pillar of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and embodies the collaborative spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1 Icon SDG 1: No Poverty

Alignment Summary: This program contributes to poverty reduction by training professionals to build resilient and profitable agricultural enterprises. By improving business management skills and fostering innovation, graduates can enhance the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and create economic opportunities in rural communities, directly addressing poverty at its roots.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG157 711Advanced Agribusiness ManagementContributes to poverty eradication by providing skills to create and manage sustainable agricultural enterprises, fostering economic resilience and income generation for rural communities (Target 1.2).

SDG 2 Icon SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Alignment Summary: The curriculum is fundamentally focused on achieving food security by promoting sustainable, resilient, and productive agricultural systems. It integrates knowledge from crop and animal sciences, soil management, and technology to increase food production, improve nutrition, and support the livelihoods of food producers.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG207 103Organic AgricultureDirectly aligns with Target 2.4 by teaching sustainable food production systems that maintain ecosystems and improve land and soil quality.
AG207 202Sustainable AquacultureContributes to ending hunger by promoting sustainable practices in aquaculture to increase the availability of nutritious aquatic food (Target 2.1).
AG207 401Introduction to Precision AgricultureSupports Target 2.3 by teaching methods to increase the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers through technology and efficient resource management.
AG207 503Applied Plant BreedingPromotes resilient agricultural practices (Target 2.4) by developing crop varieties that can adapt to environmental stresses, ensuring food security.

SDG 3 Icon SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to good health by addressing the environmental determinants of health. By training experts in the assessment and remediation of contaminated land and the management of agricultural pollution, the curriculum helps to substantially reduce illnesses from hazardous chemicals and pollution.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG127 763Ecological Risk Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated LandDirectly supports Target 3.9 by teaching methods to reduce illnesses from soil and water pollution through the remediation of contaminated sites.

SDG 4 Icon SDG 4: Quality Education

Alignment Summary: As an international master's program, this curriculum epitomizes quality education by offering advanced, interdisciplinary training to a diverse student body. It equips graduates with the research and technical skills needed for leadership roles in global agriculture and environmental science, fostering lifelong learning and cross-cultural collaboration.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG207 001Statistical Methods in AgricultureDirectly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with the advanced technical and research skills required for relevant, high-level employment in the agricultural and environmental sectors.
AG207 891 / 892Seminar in Agricultural Science and Environment I / IIEnhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by providing graduate-level training in scientific discourse, critical analysis, and the communication of complex global challenges.
AG207 898 / 899ThesisRepresents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4).

SDG 6 Icon SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Alignment Summary: The program places a strong emphasis on the sustainable management of water resources in an agricultural context. Courses cover soil-water dynamics, water security, and the management of agricultural pollutants, directly contributing to increased water-use efficiency and the protection of water-related ecosystems.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG127 712Soil Water and Plant RelationshipsContributes to increasing water-use efficiency across sectors (Target 6.4) by providing a scientific basis for efficient irrigation and water management in agriculture.
AG127 765Water Security and Climate ChangeExplicitly aligns with SDG 6 by focusing on integrated water resources management at all levels (Target 6.5) and addressing the challenges of ensuring water security for all.

SDG 8 Icon SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alignment Summary: This program drives sustainable economic growth by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the agricultural sector. It prepares graduates to manage and lead modern agribusinesses, thereby increasing economic productivity, adding value to agricultural products, and creating opportunities for decent work.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG157 711Advanced Agribusiness ManagementPromotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by equipping graduates with the skills to lead and develop high-productivity agricultural enterprises (Target 8.2).
AG157 742Problem Solving and Decision Making in AgribusinessSupports development-oriented policies that encourage entrepreneurship and the growth of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises in the agricultural sector (Target 8.3).

SDG 9 Icon SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Alignment Summary: The program is a hub of innovation for the agricultural and environmental sectors. It focuses on the application of advanced technologies such as biotechnology, remote sensing, and GIS to enhance scientific research, upgrade technological capabilities, and build a more resilient and sustainable agricultural industry.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG127 733Remote Sensing and Image Processing in Agriculture and EnvironmentSupports Target 9.5 by enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities through the application of advanced monitoring technologies.
AG129 735Geographic Information System in Agriculture and EnvironmentPromotes innovation by using GIS for advanced spatial analysis, fostering more sustainable and technologically advanced agricultural and environmental management (Target 9.5).
AG207 502Agricultural BiotechnologyContributes to upgrading the technological capabilities of the agricultural sector (Target 9.4) by applying modern biotechnological tools to improve crops and production systems.

SDG 11 Icon SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to creating sustainable human settlements by providing expertise in land use planning and environmental remediation. This knowledge is crucial for ensuring that development in and around communities is safe, resilient, and minimizes negative environmental impacts.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG127 763Ecological Risk Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated LandSupports Target 11.1 by providing the skills to make human settlements safe and sustainable through the remediation and management of contaminated sites.

SDG 12 Icon SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Alignment Summary: The curriculum strongly promotes responsible production patterns by emphasizing the sustainable and efficient management of natural resources. Courses are designed to reduce waste, manage agricultural pollutants, and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices like organic farming throughout the production chain.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG207 103Organic AgricultureDirectly promotes sustainable production patterns (Target 12.2) by teaching methods for the efficient use of natural resources and environmentally sound management.
AG129 743Agricultural Pollution and ManagementAligns with Target 12.4 by teaching the environmentally sound management of chemicals and wastes to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

SDG 13 Icon SDG 13: Climate Action

Alignment Summary: This program directly addresses the need for climate action by integrating climate change considerations into water resource management and agricultural development. It educates future experts on the impacts of climate change and equips them with the knowledge to build resilience and adaptive capacity in vulnerable systems.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG127 765Water Security and Climate ChangeImproves education and awareness-raising on climate change mitigation, adaptation, and impact reduction (Target 13.3) by directly linking water security to climate challenges.

SDG 14 Icon SDG 14: Life Below Water

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to the conservation of aquatic ecosystems through its focus on sustainable aquaculture. By teaching responsible production methods, disease control, and feed management, it aims to reduce the environmental impact of aquaculture on marine and freshwater environments.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG207 202Sustainable AquacultureAims to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution from land-based activities (Target 14.1) by promoting environmentally sound aquaculture practices.
AG207 204Fish Disease Control and Health ManagementSupports the health of aquatic ecosystems (Target 14.2) by providing expertise in managing diseases that can threaten both farmed and wild aquatic populations.

SDG 15 Icon SDG 15: Life on Land

Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally focused on the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, particularly soil. It provides in-depth knowledge on managing soil fertility, restoring degraded land, and controlling pollution, all of which are essential for halting land degradation and protecting biodiversity.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG127 714Problem Soils and Integrated ManagementDirectly contributes to combating desertification and restoring degraded land and soil (Target 15.3).
AG129 743Agricultural Pollution and ManagementSupports the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems by teaching methods to reduce pollution from agricultural sources (Target 15.1).
AG207 101Biological Control of Insect PestsContributes to halting biodiversity loss (Target 15.5) by promoting alternatives to chemical pesticides that can harm non-target species and ecosystems.

SDG 17 Icon SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Alignment Summary: The interdisciplinary and international nature of this program inherently fosters partnerships for sustainable development. Through research and seminars, students from diverse backgrounds collaborate and engage with the global scientific community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder partnerships essential for achieving all SDGs.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AG207 891 / 892Seminar in Agricultural Science and Environment I / IIEnhances the global partnership for sustainable development by having students from various countries engage with and present on the latest global research, fostering knowledge-sharing (Target 17.6).
AG207 898 / 899ThesisRepresents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.17) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges.