Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science in Geoinformatics

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Science in Geoinformatics

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Science Program in Geoinformatics at Khon Kaen University is engineered to produce graduates who can integrate geoinformation science and technology for sustainable development. The program's philosophy emphasizes creating professionals skilled in spatial analysis, data management, and the application of modern technologies like Remote Sensing and GIS to solve complex problems related to natural resources, the environment, disaster management, and urban planning. This curriculum is a powerhouse for SDGs related to environmental stewardship, particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Courses on urban planning, smart city development, natural resource management, and disaster management provide students with the exact tools needed to monitor ecosystems, plan sustainable urban growth, and build resilience to climate-related hazards. Furthermore, the program is a key enabler of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), as geoinformatics is a critical technology for modern infrastructure planning and management. It also supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through applications in watershed management. As a higher education program, it is a direct contributor to SDG 4 (Quality Education), and its emphasis on real-world projects and cooperative education fosters the multi-stakeholder collaboration essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: This program provides high-quality, specialized tertiary education in a cutting-edge scientific field. It ensures students acquire the technical, vocational, and research skills necessary for employment and lifelong learning in the geospatial industry through a curriculum that includes research projects and mandatory professional experience.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 374 892	Research Project	Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity, equipping students with advanced research skills that are highly relevant for employment and innovation in the geoinformatics sector (Target 4.4).
CP 374 894	Cooperative Education	Provides mandatory and extensive work placement, ensuring all students acquire technical and vocational skills for employment, directly supporting lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3 & 4.4).

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to the sustainable management of water resources. Students learn to use geospatial technologies to analyze watersheds, monitor water quality, and manage water-related ecosystems, supporting community-based water management and conservation efforts.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 373 342	Geoinformatics for Natural Resources and Environmental Management	Directly supports the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems by teaching students to apply geospatial analysis to watershed management and water resource monitoring (Target 6.6). This also aligns with community participation in water management (Target 6.B).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: By equipping students with high-demand skills in a technology-driven field, the program promotes job creation and economic productivity. Graduates are prepared for careers that contribute to innovation and the development of a knowledge-based economy, fostering sustainable economic growth.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 374 894	Cooperative Education	Provides students with significant work experience, supporting the achievement of full and productive employment and facilitating the transition of youth into the workforce (Target 8.6).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: The entire field of Geoinformatics is a driver of innovation. This curriculum provides the core competencies for developing and utilizing geospatial technologies, which are essential for building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization, and enhancing scientific research across numerous sectors.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 372 231	Geographic Information System	Provides foundational skills for developing and managing the spatial data infrastructure that is critical for modern industry and sustainable development (Target 9.1).
CP 373 331	Geographic Information System Application Development	Enhances scientific research and technological capabilities by teaching students to build innovative applications that solve industrial and societal problems (Target 9.5).
CP 373 112	Mapping with Unmanned Aerial Vehicle	Fosters innovation by providing skills in emerging technologies for data acquisition, which supports the upgrading of technological capabilities in various industries (Target 9.4).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: This program is directly aligned with creating sustainable cities and communities. It provides students with the specific skills needed for urban planning, smart city development, and managing cultural and natural heritage, thereby contributing to making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 373 341	Geoinformatics for Urban and Regional Planning	Directly addresses integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management through the application of geospatial technologies (Target 11.3).
CP 373 444	Geoinformatics for Smart City	Focuses on developing the technological solutions needed for smart and sustainable urban development, contributing to inclusive and sustainable urbanization (Target 11.3).
CP 373 342	Geoinformatics for Natural Resources and Environmental Management	Supports efforts to protect and safeguard cultural and natural heritage by providing tools to monitor and manage these assets, a key component of the 'Sustainable practices' metric (Target 11.4).

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The program provides essential tools for climate action. Students learn to use remote sensing and GIS to monitor climate-related hazards, assess vulnerability, and plan for adaptation, which strengthens resilience and adaptive capacity to climate change.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 373 442	Geoinformatics for Disaster Management	Directly contributes to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters (Target 13.1).
CP 372 211	Introduction to Remote Sensing	Improves education and awareness-raising on climate change impact reduction and early warning through the use of satellite imagery and data analysis (Target 13.3).

SDG 14: Life Below Water

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum supports the conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems. Geospatial technologies taught in this program are crucial for monitoring coastal erosion, mapping marine habitats, and managing marine resources sustainably, thereby contributing to the health of life below water.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 373 342	Geoinformatics for Natural Resources and Environmental Management	Provides the tools and techniques to sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems from land-based activities (Target 14.1 & 14.2).

SDG 15: Life on Land

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Alignment Summary: This program is essential for the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems. Students learn to apply geoinformatics to monitor deforestation, manage forests, combat desertification, and conserve biodiversity, directly contributing to the protection and restoration of life on land.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 373 342	Geoinformatics for Natural Resources and Environmental Management	Directly supports the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems, including forests and mountains (Target 15.1).
CP 373 211	Remote Sensing of the Environment	Provides skills to monitor ecosystems and biodiversity, which is crucial for taking action to halt biodiversity loss (Target 15.5).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: Geoinformatics is a collaborative field that relies on data sharing and partnerships between government, academia, and the private sector. This program fosters these partnerships through cooperative education and project-based learning, preparing students to work in multi-stakeholder environments to achieve the SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
CP 374 894	Cooperative Education	Represents a direct multi-stakeholder partnership between the university and industry, mobilizing and sharing knowledge and technology for sustainable development (Target 17.16 & 17.17).
CP 374 801	Seminar	Promotes knowledge-sharing and dialogue on best practices in geoinformatics, enhancing the global partnership for sustainable development.