Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy program is fundamentally and profoundly dedicated to advancing human health, a cornerstone of the Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum's philosophy is built upon producing compassionate, knowledgeable, and professional physical therapists who can promote, maintain, and restore health across the lifespan. The program's core is a direct and comprehensive embodiment of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), with every specialized course—from musculoskeletal and neurological to cardiopulmonary and pediatric physical therapy—aiming to improve quality of life and functional ability. By focusing on health promotion and community-based rehabilitation, the program also addresses health inequalities (SDG 10). As a professional degree, it provides exceptional SDG 4 (Quality Education), preparing graduates for meaningful careers that contribute to economic growth (SDG 8). The extensive clinical practice requirements are a model of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), creating a strong, collaborative network between the university and healthcare providers to serve the community.

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: This program is the essence of SDG 3. Its entire focus is on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages through the practice of physical therapy. It equips students with the skills to prevent, assess, and treat a vast range of physical impairments and disabilities, helping to combat both non-communicable and communicable diseases and improve quality of life.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PT223205	Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Conditions I	Directly contributes to restoring health by teaching the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal disorders, a leading cause of disability worldwide (Target 3.4).
PT223206	Physical Therapy in Neurological Conditions	Supports well-being by providing skills to rehabilitate individuals with neurological conditions like stroke or spinal cord injury, improving their function and participation in society (Target 3.4).
PT223207	Physical Therapy in Cardiopulmonary Conditions	Aligns with the management of non-communicable diseases by teaching rehabilitation techniques for patients with heart and lung diseases, improving their health outcomes (Target 3.4).
PT224210	Physical Therapy in Community	Promotes universal health coverage by training students to provide health promotion, disease prevention, and rehabilitation services directly within communities (Target 3.8).
PT224211	Health Promotion	Focuses on preventing illness and promoting healthy lifestyles through education and exercise, which is a key component of ensuring healthy lives for all (Target 3.4).

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: The program provides a high-quality, specialized education that prepares graduates for a demanding healthcare profession. It ensures students acquire the knowledge and skills for sustainable development through a curriculum that integrates advanced theory, evidence-based practice, research, and extensive clinical training.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PT224801	Research in Physical Therapy	Enhances education for sustainable development by equipping students with the skills to critically appraise and conduct scientific research, fostering lifelong learning and evidence-based practice (Target 4.7).
PT224792	Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy 1	Provides inclusive and equitable quality education by ensuring all students have access to extensive, supervised clinical training, which is essential for acquiring technical and vocational skills for employment (Target 4.4).
PT224793 - PT224797	Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy 2-6	Represents a comprehensive capstone learning experience that provides thousands of hours of practical training, ensuring graduates possess superior professional skills for their careers (Target 4.4).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: This program contributes to economic growth by producing highly skilled healthcare professionals who are essential to a productive workforce. It promotes decent work by instilling a strong sense of professional ethics, legal responsibilities, and management skills, preparing graduates for safe and meaningful employment in the healthcare sector.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PT224701	Administration and Legislation in Physical Therapy	Promotes decent work by ensuring graduates understand the legal framework and ethical standards of their profession, protecting labor rights and promoting a safe working environment (Target 8.8).
PT224792 - PT224797	Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy 1-6	Supports full and productive employment by providing extensive professional training that makes graduates highly employable and ready to contribute to the healthcare economy upon graduation (Target 8.5).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

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Alignment Summary: The program actively works to reduce health inequalities by training physical therapists to care for diverse and vulnerable populations. Courses focused on pediatrics, geriatrics, and community-based services ensure that all members of society, regardless of age or social status, have access to rehabilitative care.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PT224208	Physical Therapy in Pediatric Conditions	Contributes to reducing inequalities by focusing on the health and well-being of children with disabilities, ensuring they have the opportunity to achieve their full potential (Target 10.2).
PT224209	Physical Therapy in Geriatric Conditions	Addresses the needs of an aging population by providing skills to manage health conditions in older adults, promoting their social and physical inclusion (Target 10.2).
PT224210	Physical Therapy in Community	Directly reduces health inequalities by teaching students how to provide accessible physical therapy services in community settings, reaching those who may have difficulty accessing hospital-based care (Target 10.3).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The entire structure of the program's clinical education is a powerful example of partnerships for the goals. The mandatory, extensive clinical practice courses represent a deep and ongoing collaboration between Khon Kaen University and a wide network of hospitals and healthcare facilities, all working together to build capacity in the national health system.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
PT224792 - PT224797	Clinical Practice in Physical Therapy 1-6	Represents a large-scale, multi-stakeholder partnership (Target 17.17) that leverages the combined expertise of academia and healthcare providers to train the next generation of physical therapists for the benefit of society.