Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Medical Sciences (International Program) is fundamentally designed to cultivate researchers and innovators who can generate new knowledge to advance human health. The program's core philosophy is deeply aligned with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as it trains graduates to conduct high-impact research aimed at understanding, preventing, and treating diseases. This focus on creating new medical knowledge is crucial for developing novel solutions to global health challenges.
As a doctoral-level international program, it is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education), producing the next generation of highly skilled academics and scientists equipped for lifelong learning. The curriculum's intensive focus on advanced research methodologies and innovation directly drives SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by preparing graduates to develop new technologies and diagnostic tools that strengthen the healthcare sector. Furthermore, the program's international nature and its emphasis on seminars and collaboration foster a culture of global partnership, which is essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), enabling graduates to contribute to and benefit from the global scientific community.
Best Practices
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Medical Sciences (International Program) has reaffirmed its excellence in doctoral-level research in line with Khon Kaen University's mission to produce high-quality research and innovation. The focus is on addressing major regional health challenges through in-depth research on molecular mechanisms and the development of innovations for the diagnosis and treatment of tropical diseases. This initiative responds to the urgent need for new tools for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases in accordance with national strategies.
Throughout the doctoral dissertation process (AM 427 898/899 for Plan 2.1 and 2.2, or full research for Plan 1.1 and 1.2), students integrate and apply advanced knowledge from core courses, as well as specialized expertise from courses such as MD567 712 Cell and Molecular Biology and AM427 506 Molecular Biology Techniques in Medical Science, to analyze disease mechanisms in depth. This leads to the creation of new knowledge and innovation.
Tangible outcomes include the discovery of 1-2 new drug targets and the development of a rapid diagnostic kit for emerging infectious diseases, which has been tested and presented at least twice at international academic conferences. The dissertation work has also been published in at least two international journals indexed in SCOPUS/Q1, demonstrating advanced research capacity.
The strategic and sustainable impact of this initiative is the enhancement of the country's capacity to respond to emerging and tropical diseases, delivering knowledge and medical technology that can be applied to health promotion, disease prevention, and continuous diagnosis. The success of this activity powerfully aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), by strengthening health and ensuring universal access to quality medical services; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), by supporting scientific research and the creation of medical and public health innovations; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), by promoting academic and research partnerships at both national and international levels to address global health challenges.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is dedicated to advancing human health through rigorous scientific research. By investigating the fundamental mechanisms of disease and health, the curriculum contributes to the development of new knowledge for disease prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. The research conducted by graduates in fields like cancer biology and molecular medicine directly supports the global effort to combat diseases and improve health outcomes for all.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| AM 427 501 | Modern Cell Biology | Provides foundational knowledge on the cellular and molecular basis of diseases, which is essential for developing effective diagnostics and treatments. |
| AM 427 101 | Molecular Oncology and Cancer Immunology | Directly contributes to health by focusing on the mechanisms of cancer, a leading non-communicable disease, which is critical for developing new therapies (Target 3.4). |
| All Elective Courses | Various Special Topics | These specialized research-focused courses provide in-depth knowledge in various medical science disciplines, contributing comprehensively to the "Research on health and well-being" metric (Metric 3.1). |
| MD 429 998/999 | Dissertation | Represents a significant research contribution to understanding and combating diseases, generating new knowledge to tackle global health challenges (Metric 3.1). |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum represents the highest level of quality education, designed to create experts and researchers who can generate new knowledge. It provides inclusive and equitable advanced education, equipping graduates with specialized technical and research skills for high-level employment and lifelong learning in the field of medical sciences.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 427 701 | Advanced Research Methodology in Medical Sciences | Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with advanced technical and research skills that are essential for high-level employment in the scientific sector. |
| MD 427 702 | Biostatistics for Medical Science Research | Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by providing graduates with the advanced statistical skills necessary for continuous scientific inquiry. |
| MD 427 703 | Journal Club in Medical Sciences | Promotes quality education by developing students' skills in critically appraising scientific literature, a core competency for lifelong learning in science. |
| MD 429 998/999 | Dissertation | Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical and vocational skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4). |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: This research-intensive program drives innovation in the biomedical and healthcare industries. Through advanced scientific research, it fosters the development of new technologies, diagnostics, and therapeutic strategies. The dissertation work, in particular, often leads to new intellectual property and knowledge that can upgrade the technological capabilities of the healthcare sector.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 427 701 | Advanced Research Methodology in Medical Sciences | Provides the essential framework for conducting the scientific research that underpins innovation and technological advancement in the medical industry (Target 9.5). |
| MD 429 998/999 | Dissertation | Promotes innovation (Target 9.5) by requiring students to conduct original scientific research that often leads to new intellectual property, technologies, and practices applicable to the healthcare industry. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program's international nature and research focus inherently build partnerships for sustainable development. Seminars, dissertation work, and the requirement to engage with the global scientific community foster a culture of knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaboration essential for addressing complex global health challenges.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 427 704/705 | Seminar in Medical Sciences I & II | Promotes partnerships (Target 17.16) by requiring students to engage with and present on the latest global research, fostering a culture of international knowledge-sharing and collaboration. |
| MD 429 998/999 | Dissertation | Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.17) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared with the international scientific community to help solve critical health challenges. |