Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Master of Science Program in Horticulture is fundamentally aligned with the principles of sustainable development, focusing on the production of high-value crops that are essential for nutrition, health, and economic well-being. The curriculum is designed to produce researchers and innovators capable of enhancing food security and promoting environmentally sound agricultural practices. The program makes a strong contribution to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by advancing knowledge in fruit, vegetable, and flower production, as well as postharvest technology to reduce food loss. Through its focus on medicinal plants and plant-derived substances, it directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). The emphasis on crop improvement, biotechnology, and innovative production techniques aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). Furthermore, by teaching sustainable production methods and the responsible use of resources, the curriculum addresses SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and SDG 15 (Life on Land). As an advanced research degree, it is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and embodies the collaborative spirit required for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
SDG 2: Zero HungerAlignment Summary: This program directly addresses food security and improved nutrition by focusing on the production of horticultural crops, which are vital sources of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. The curriculum emphasizes sustainable production techniques, postharvest management to reduce food loss, and crop improvement to enhance the resilience and productivity of food systems.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AG 137 401 | Physiology of Horticultural Crops | Supports the goal of ending hunger by providing a deep understanding of plant processes to maximize yield and quality in food crops (Target 2.1). |
| AG 137 403 | Postharvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops | Directly addresses the reduction of food losses (Target 2.3) by teaching methods to preserve the quality and extend the shelf-life of horticultural products. |
| AG 137 501 | Horticultural Crop Improvement | Contributes to sustainable food production systems (Target 2.4) by applying genetic principles to develop higher-yielding and more resilient crop varieties. |
| AG 137 406 | Innovation in Economic Fruit Production | Aligns with Target 2.3 by focusing on innovative techniques to increase the productivity and incomes of fruit producers, thereby enhancing food security. |
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to good health and well-being by advancing knowledge on medicinal plants and the production of safe, high-quality horticultural products. It provides the scientific foundation for developing plant-based medicines and ensuring that fruits and vegetables are produced in a way that promotes human health.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AG 137 402 | Physiology of Medicinal Plants | Directly supports good health by focusing on the scientific principles behind the production of medicinal plants, which are crucial for traditional and modern healthcare systems (Target 3.8). |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a Master of Science program, this curriculum is a prime example of quality education, offering advanced and specialized training in horticultural science. It is designed to equip students with the research and technical skills necessary for high-level employment and innovation, promoting lifelong learning and scientific advancement in a critical field.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AG 137 701 | Research Methodology in Horticulture | Directly supports Target 4.4 by providing students with advanced technical and research skills for relevant employment and innovation in the horticultural science sector. |
| AG 137 891 / 892 | Seminar in Horticulture I / II | Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by training students to critically analyze and present scientific findings, a core competency for continuous professional development. |
| AG 137 898 / 899 | Thesis | Represents a capstone lifelong learning experience where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical skills for employment and contributing new knowledge to the field (Target 4.4). |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: The program drives innovation in the horticulture industry by focusing on advanced production techniques and crop improvement. It enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of the sector, fostering a more resilient, productive, and sustainable horticultural industry.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AG 137 406 | Innovation in Economic Fruit Production | Enhances scientific research and upgrades technological capabilities (Target 9.5) by focusing on the adoption of innovative practices in the high-value fruit industry. |
| AG 137 501 | Horticultural Crop Improvement | Supports Target 9.5 by enhancing scientific research through the application of advanced breeding techniques to develop superior horticultural varieties. |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The curriculum strongly promotes responsible production patterns by emphasizing the reduction of post-harvest losses, a major source of food waste. By teaching advanced physiological principles and management techniques, the program contributes to a more efficient and sustainable food supply chain.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AG 137 403 | Postharvest Physiology of Horticultural Crops | Directly aligns with Target 12.3 by focusing on the reduction of food losses along production and supply chains through improved postharvest handling and storage. |
SDG 15: Life on LandAlignment Summary: The program contributes to the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems by promoting the sustainable use of plant genetic resources. The focus on crop improvement and breeding for resistance helps to maintain genetic diversity, which is essential for the resilience of both agricultural and natural ecosystems.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AG 137 502 | Horticultural Crop Improvement for Resistance to Biotic and Abiotic Stress | Contributes to halting biodiversity loss (Target 15.5) by developing crop varieties with genetic resistance, reducing the need for pesticides that can harm non-target species. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The research-intensive nature of this program inherently fosters partnerships for sustainable development. Through seminar courses and the thesis requirement, students engage with the global scientific community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations that are vital for addressing the complex challenges of horticulture and food systems.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AG 137 891 / 892 | Seminar in Horticulture I / II | Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development by having students engage with and present on the latest global research, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing (Target 17.6). |
| AG 137 898 / 899 | Thesis | Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.17) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges in horticulture. |