Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Master of Architecture Program in Building Energy and Environment

SDG Alignment for Master of Architecture Program in Building Energy and Environment

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Architecture Program in Building Energy and Environment is holistically designed to produce architects and researchers who can create sustainable built environments through a deep understanding of energy efficiency and environmental principles. The program's core mission to integrate advanced technology with sustainable design makes it a powerful contributor to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By focusing on building performance simulation, sustainable materials, and advanced environmental technologies, the curriculum directly addresses the need for resource-efficient, resilient, and low-impact buildings. This emphasis also strongly aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). As a graduate-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and fosters the collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a master's program, this curriculum represents a high level of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert professionals and researchers by providing advanced training in research methodologies and fostering the lifelong learning skills necessary to address complex challenges in sustainable architecture.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR838102	Architectural Research Methodology	Provides the core research skills that define high-quality graduate education, equipping students for high-level employment in research and professional practice (Target 4.3 and 4.4).
AR83889X	Thesis/Independent Study	These courses are capstone lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research or in-depth study, thereby acquiring superior technical and professional skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4).

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

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Alignment Summary: The program is a major driver for the transition to sustainable energy in the built environment. It offers deep expertise in building energy assessment, advanced energy technologies, and performance simulation, directly contributing to the research and implementation of energy-efficient and renewable energy solutions in buildings.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR838201	Building Energy and Environmental Assessment	Directly supports improving energy efficiency (Target 7.3) by teaching methods to assess and optimize the energy performance of buildings.
AR838202	Advanced Building Energy and Environmental Technology	Aligns with Target 7.A by focusing on research and access to clean energy technology for the building sector, including renewable energy integration and high-efficiency systems.
AR838204	Advanced Building Performance Simulation	Contributes to energy efficiency (Target 7.3) by providing the skills to model and simulate building energy use, enabling the design of high-performance, low-energy buildings.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: This program is a catalyst for innovation in the construction and design industries. By providing advanced training in sustainable technologies, materials, and digital simulation tools, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of the building sector, fostering the development of more sustainable and resilient infrastructure.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR838202	Advanced Building Energy and Environmental Technology	Supports upgrading the technological capabilities of the construction industry by introducing clean and environmentally sound technologies (Target 9.4).
AR838203	Sustainable Architectural Design	Drives innovation by integrating sustainability principles into the core of architectural design, promoting new solutions for the building industry (Target 9.5).
AR838204	Advanced Building Performance Simulation	Enhances scientific research (Target 9.5) by applying advanced computational tools to design and optimize innovative and high-performance buildings.
AR838303	Sustainable Building Materials	Fosters innovation by focusing on the research and application of environmentally friendly and high-performance construction materials (Target 9.5).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally focused on creating sustainable cities and communities through the design of environmentally responsible buildings. The curriculum provides a deep understanding of sustainable design, energy efficiency, and environmental assessment, equipping graduates with the skills to reduce the environmental impact of buildings and create healthier urban environments.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR838201	Building Energy and Environmental Assessment	Directly supports Target 11.6 by focusing on reducing the adverse environmental impact of cities through the assessment and improvement of building performance.
AR838202	Advanced Building Energy and Environmental Technology	Contributes to inclusive and sustainable urbanization (Target 11.3) by providing the technological solutions for high-performance, sustainable buildings.
AR838203	Sustainable Architectural Design	This course is central to SDG 11, teaching the principles and practices of designing sustainable buildings that form the fabric of resilient and inclusive communities.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: The program promotes responsible production patterns in the construction industry. The curriculum's focus on sustainable materials and design encourages the efficient use of resources, the adoption of environmentally sound building practices, and the reduction of construction waste, contributing to a more circular and responsible built environment.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR838203	Sustainable Architectural Design	Promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by teaching principles of resource-efficient design.
AR838303	Sustainable Building Materials	Directly contributes to achieving the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by focusing on the selection and application of environmentally friendly materials (Target 12.2).

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes directly to climate action by training experts to design buildings that significantly reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The focus on energy efficiency and sustainable design is a key strategy for mitigating the impact of the building sector on climate change.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR838203	Sustainable Architectural Design	Directly supports climate change mitigation (Target 13.2) by integrating strategies for energy efficiency and reduced carbon emissions into national and local building practices.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program's research-intensive nature fosters partnerships for sustainable development. Through seminars and research, students engage with industry, the professional community, and the global academic community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations necessary to achieve sustainable development goals in the built environment.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
AR838101	Seminar in Building Energy and Environment 1	Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with and present on international research, fostering a culture of global knowledge-sharing.
AR83889X	Thesis/Independent Study	Represents a significant contribution to partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared to solve critical sustainability challenges in the built environment.