Khon Kaen University

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).

Best Practices

        The Doctor of Philosophy in Oral Sciences Program at Khon Kaen University fosters leadership in advanced research and medical innovation, as a research-intensive university dedicated to generating new knowledge to address complex health challenges. The program is particularly focused on tackling emerging and re-emerging diseases, as well as non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as oral cancer, which pose significant threats to population health in the region. At the core of the curriculum is the doctoral dissertation, which emphasises scientific innovation and advanced research methodology, integrating knowledge and skills from all key and contemporary courses, including Advanced Cancer Epidemiology, Advanced Big Data Management in Healthcare, Principles and Foundations of Health Data Science, and the Dissertation itself. This structure enables students to synthesize research and develop in-depth health data analysis systems with a strong ethical foundation.
        The program's tangible outcomes include the production of doctoral graduates with in-depth expertise in generating new knowledge, in accordance with the program learning outcomes (PLOs), and the ability to produce high-quality research. All research undergoes rigorous validation and analysis to meet doctoral standards, leading to publication in international academic journals. These achievements yield sustainable impacts, including the development of evidence-based policies and clinical guidelines that enhance the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of complex oral diseases with greater efficiency and precision.
        Strategically, this program is clearly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): advancing SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by ensuring access to high-quality and specialized health services through research that addresses critical health issues; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by promoting research and innovation in Health Data Science to drive the country's digital medical infrastructure; and SDG 4 (Quality Education) by producing doctoral-level experts with the capacity to generate new knowledge for global sustainability.