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Khon Kaen University

Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agro-Industrial Technology Innovation

SDG Alignment for Ph.D. in Agro-Industrial Technology Innovation

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Agro-Industrial Technology Innovation is strategically designed to address critical global challenges at the intersection of food, industry, and sustainability. The program's core mission is to produce high-level researchers and innovators who can transform the agricultural sector, making it a powerful contributor to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) by enhancing food processing, safety, and product development. It is fundamentally aligned with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through its focus on developing advanced technologies and innovative solutions for the agro-industry. Furthermore, the curriculum's emphasis on waste utilization and sustainable processing directly supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). As a doctoral-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education), drives economic growth in a key sector under SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and fosters the international collaboration essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 2 Icon SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Alignment Summary: This program directly tackles food security by training experts in advanced food processing, product development, and food safety. The curriculum is designed to increase the value, quality, and shelf-life of agricultural products, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring a stable and safe food supply.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
ATI 802 811Advanced Processing EngineeringContributes to ending hunger by teaching advanced techniques to improve food processing efficiency, which helps reduce post-harvest losses and enhance food availability (Target 2.a).
ATI 802 813Innovative Agro-Industrial Product DevelopmentSupports food security and improved nutrition (Target 2.1, 2.2) by developing new, value-added food products that can meet diverse dietary needs and extend food availability.
ATI 802 814Safety Management in Food IndustryDirectly aligns with ensuring access to safe and nutritious food (Target 2.1) by focusing on the principles and practices that prevent foodborne hazards throughout the production chain.

SDG 3 Icon SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to good health and well-being by ensuring the safety of the food supply. Through a dedicated course on food industry safety management, graduates are equipped to implement systems that prevent contamination and reduce the incidence of foodborne illnesses, protecting consumer health.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
ATI 802 814Safety Management in Food IndustryDirectly contributes to Target 3.9 by reducing illnesses from hazardous chemicals and contamination through the implementation of robust food safety management systems in the agro-industry.

SDG 4 Icon SDG 4: Quality Education

Alignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum represents the highest level of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert researchers and innovators who can generate new knowledge in a critical industrial sector, fostering the lifelong learning and advanced skills necessary to address complex global challenges in food and agriculture.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
ATI 801 701Advanced Research Methodology and Statistics for Agro-Industrial Technology InnovationDirectly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with advanced technical and research skills that are highly relevant for high-level employment and innovation in the agro-industrial sector.
ATI 801 998 / 999DissertationRepresents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical and professional skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4).

SDG 8 Icon SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to sustainable economic growth by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in the high-value agro-industrial sector. It prepares graduates to develop new products and businesses, which diversifies the economy and creates new opportunities for productive employment.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
ATI 802 813Innovative Agro-Industrial Product DevelopmentSupports economic diversification and productivity (Target 8.2) by training experts to create new, high-value-added products from agricultural resources, which can lead to the creation of new enterprises.

SDG 9 Icon SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Alignment Summary: This program is a catalyst for innovation in the agro-industry. By providing advanced training in processing engineering, product development, and biomaterials, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of the food and agriculture sectors, promoting a more resilient and sustainable industrial base.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
ATI 802 811Advanced Processing EngineeringSupports the upgrading of industrial infrastructure (Target 9.4) by introducing clean, environmentally sound, and efficient processing technologies to the agro-industry.
ATI 802 813Innovative Agro-Industrial Product DevelopmentDirectly enhances scientific research and innovation (Target 9.5) by focusing on the creation of new products and technologies within a key industrial sector.
ATI 802 815Advanced Technology in BiomaterialsFosters innovation (Target 9.5) by developing sustainable, value-added materials from agricultural by-products, supporting a more resource-efficient and innovative industry.

SDG 12 Icon SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Alignment Summary: The program is fundamentally aligned with promoting responsible production patterns by focusing on the sustainable transformation of agricultural resources. The curriculum directly addresses the reduction of waste through courses on by-product utilization and promotes resource efficiency through advanced processing and the development of sustainable biomaterials.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
ATI 802 811Advanced Processing EngineeringPromotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by developing advanced processing techniques that minimize energy and material inputs.
ATI 802 812Waste and By-product Utilization in Agro-IndustryDirectly aligns with Target 12.5 to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse, creating a more circular economy in the agro-industrial sector.
ATI 802 815Advanced Technology in BiomaterialsContributes to responsible production by researching and developing renewable, biodegradable materials from agricultural sources, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and minimizing waste.

SDG 17 Icon SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
ATI 801 702Seminar in Agro-Industrial Technology Innovation 1Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with and present on international research, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing and collaboration.
ATI 801 998 / 999DissertationRepresents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge and innovations that are shared internationally to solve critical sustainability challenges in the agro-industry.