Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Philosophy of Doctor Program in Geo-Informatics

SDG Alignment for Philosophy of Doctor Program in Geo-Informatics

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Philosophy of Doctor Program in Geo-Informatics is intrinsically linked to the Sustainable Development Goals by training high-level experts to leverage spatial data and technology for monitoring, managing, and solving complex environmental and societal challenges. The curriculum's philosophy emphasizes integrating remote sensing, GIS, and GNSS to create innovative solutions that directly support national and global sustainability agendas. Its profound focus on urban planning, environmental analysis, disaster management, and natural resource management makes it a vital contributor to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). By developing advanced technological applications and fostering data-driven decision-making, the program strongly supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Furthermore, as a research-intensive doctoral program, it is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and inherently promotes the cross-disciplinary collaboration and knowledge sharing essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

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Alignment Summary: The program supports the goal of ending hunger by providing advanced tools and methodologies for sustainable agriculture. Courses on land evaluation and planning equip graduates to optimize land use for food production, ensuring long-term food security and promoting sustainable farming practices.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
**CP 378 742	Land Evaluation and Land Use Planning	Directly contributes to ensuring sustainable food production systems (Target 2.4) by teaching methods to evaluate land suitability and plan its use effectively for agriculture and other purposes.

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: This doctoral program embodies quality education by fostering advanced research skills and creating experts who can generate new knowledge in a critical technological field. It provides lifelong learning opportunities and equips graduates with the specialized skills needed to address global sustainability challenges.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
*CP 379 981	Research Methodology	Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with advanced technical and research skills that are highly relevant for employment and innovation in the geo-informatics sector.
**CP 379 996 / 997 / 998 / 999	Dissertation	Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical skills for high-level employment and contributing new knowledge.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum is a driver of innovation by training experts in cutting-edge geo-spatial technologies. Graduates are equipped to develop new applications and infrastructure for data analysis, intelligent mapping, and digital services, fostering the technological upgrading of various industries.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
**CP 378 722	Intelligent Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Mapping	Promotes innovation (Target 9.5) by teaching the use of advanced UAV technology for automated mapping, a key tool for modernizing infrastructure and industrial surveying.
**CP 378 734	Internet Geographic Information System	Supports Target 9.1 by developing reliable and sustainable infrastructure through training in web-based GIS services, which are fundamental to modern digital information systems.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The program is central to building sustainable cities by providing the core technological and analytical skills needed for modern urban management. Courses focus on GIS for urban planning, analyzing urban growth, modeling spatial data, and using advanced technology for detailed mapping, directly enabling the creation of inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable human settlements.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
**CP 378 722	Intelligent Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Mapping	Contributes to inclusive and sustainable urbanization (Target 11.3) by providing advanced techniques for high-resolution mapping essential for detailed urban planning and management.
**CP 378 735	Spatial Data Analytics and Modeling	Supports planning for sustainable human settlements (Target 11.3) by teaching methods to model and analyze urban growth patterns and resource distribution.
**CP 378 737	Geographic Information System for Urban Planning	Directly aligns with SDG 11 by teaching the application of GIS to city planning, land use management, and infrastructure development, which is a key component of the 'Sustainable practices' metric (Target 11.4).

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum provides critical tools for climate action by training experts in remote sensing technologies used to monitor climate-related hazards and environmental changes. Graduates can analyze long-term spatial data to understand climate impacts, contributing to mitigation, adaptation, and early warning systems.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
**CP 378 721	Microwave Remote Sensing	Strengthens resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards (Target 13.1) by teaching advanced remote sensing techniques for monitoring hydrological systems, land use, and forestry under various weather conditions.
**CP 378 821	Principles of Remote Sensing	Directly supports climate change education and awareness (Target 13.3) by providing foundational knowledge on how satellite data is used to monitor the Earth's environment and climate systems.

SDG 15: Life On Land

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Alignment Summary: The program is fundamental to protecting terrestrial ecosystems. Through courses on remote sensing, land resource management, and land use planning, it equips graduates with the skills to monitor deforestation, manage land sustainably, and integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
**CP 378 721	Microwave Remote Sensing	Contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems by providing tools to monitor forestry and land use changes, supporting efforts to halt deforestation (Target 15.2).
**CP 378 741	Land Resources and Environment	Directly addresses the sustainable management of land and ecosystems (Target 15.1) by focusing on the components of land resources, including geology, soil, water, and forest ecosystems.
**CP 378 742	Land Evaluation and Land Use Planning	Aligns with Target 15.9 by teaching methodologies to integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local development and planning processes.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: This research-intensive program inherently builds partnerships for sustainable development. The creation and dissemination of advanced knowledge in geo-informatics, a globally relevant field, promotes the international knowledge-sharing and collaborations essential for addressing the interconnected challenges of all SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
*CP 379 981	Research Methodology	Enhances capacity-building for sustainable development (Target 17.9) by providing students with the skills to collect, analyze, and report data, which is essential for monitoring SDG progress.
**CP 379 996 / 997 / 998 / 999	Dissertation	Represents a significant contribution to the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by creating new, publishable knowledge in science and technology that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges.