Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Doctor of Philosophy Program in Oral Sciences

SDG Alignment for Doctor of Philosophy Program in Oral Sciences

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Oral Sciences is fundamentally designed to produce researchers and academics capable of creating new knowledge and innovations to improve oral health and overall quality of life. The program's core philosophy is deeply rooted in advancing scientific understanding, making its most profound contributions to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by researching the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of oral diseases, and to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by producing the next generation of educators and scientists in the field.

The curriculum's intensive focus on advanced research methodologies, biostatistics, and specialized topics like oral immunology and molecular biology directly drives SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Graduates are equipped to develop new dental materials, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic strategies, thereby upgrading the technological capabilities of the healthcare sector. Furthermore, the program's emphasis on seminar presentations, critical literature review, and the dissertation process fosters a culture of international collaboration and knowledge sharing, which is essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: The program is dedicated to advancing human health through research in oral sciences. By investigating the fundamental biological processes of oral health and disease, the curriculum contributes to the development of new and improved methods for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. Graduates' research in areas like oral microbiology, immunology, and pathology directly supports the global effort to combat diseases and improve overall health outcomes.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
DT 337 101	Oral Biology I	Provides foundational knowledge on the histology and physiology of oral tissues, which is essential for understanding oral diseases and developing effective treatments.
DT 337 102	Oral Biology II	Focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of oral tissue development and function, contributing to advanced research on health and well-being (Metric 3.1).
DT 337 701	Advanced Oral Microbiology	Directly supports health by investigating the role of microorganisms in oral diseases, leading to better prevention and treatment strategies for infections.
DT 337 702	Advanced Oral Immunology	Contributes to health by exploring the immune response in the oral cavity, which is critical for developing treatments for inflammatory diseases and cancers.
DT 339 998/999	Dissertation	The dissertation is a major research project that generates new knowledge directly aimed at improving the understanding and management of oral health and disease, contributing significantly to the "Research on health and well-being" metric (Metric 3.1).

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum represents the highest level of quality education, designed to create experts, researchers, and future academics. It provides inclusive and equitable advanced training, equipping graduates with specialized technical and research skills for high-level employment and lifelong learning in the field of oral sciences.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
DT 337 103	Biostatistics	Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with advanced technical skills in data analysis, which are essential for research-related employment.
DT 337 104	Research Methodology in Dentistry	Promotes lifelong learning (Target 4.3) by teaching the fundamental principles of scientific inquiry, enabling graduates to continuously generate and evaluate new knowledge.
DT 339 891/892	Seminar in Oral Science I & II	Enhances quality education by developing students' skills in critical appraisal of scientific literature and effective communication of complex research findings.
DT 339 998/999	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 Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: This research-intensive program drives innovation in the dental and biomedical industries. Through advanced scientific research, it fosters the development of new technologies, materials, and therapeutic approaches. The dissertation work, in particular, often leads to patents and new knowledge that upgrade the technological capabilities of the healthcare sector.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
DT 337 104	Research Methodology in Dentistry	Provides the essential framework for conducting the scientific research that underpins innovation and technological advancement in the dental industry (Target 9.5).
DT 337 705	Advanced Dental Materials Science	Directly supports industrial innovation by focusing on the research and development of new materials used in dentistry, enhancing the technological capabilities of the sector.
DT 339 998/999	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 dental industry.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program inherently fosters partnerships for sustainable development through its focus on advanced scientific research. Doctoral research, seminars, and dissertations require engagement with the global scientific community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for addressing complex global health challenges.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
DT 339 891/892	Seminar in Oral Science I & II	Promotes partnerships (Target 17.16) by requiring students to engage with and present on the latest global research, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
DT 339 998/999	Dissertation	Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.17) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges in oral health.