Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Bachelor of Engineering in High-Speed Railway Engineering program is fundamentally and holistically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by training a specialized workforce to develop one of the most sustainable forms of modern transportation. The curriculum's philosophy, emphasizing advanced technology, systems integration, safety, and project management, makes it a powerful contributor to sustainable development. The program is a cornerstone of SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), as high-speed rail is a transformative piece of infrastructure that promotes sustainable urbanization and regional development. By its nature as a low-carbon mode of transport, the program is a direct driver for SDG 13 (Climate Action). Furthermore, the curriculum's focus on engineering management, safety, and professional ethics contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). As a professional engineering program, it is a flagship of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and is built upon extensive industry partnerships, embodying the spirit of SDG 17.
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: This professional engineering program provides a high-quality, specialized education that equips students with the advanced technical and systems-thinking skills required for the high-speed rail industry. Through a rigorous curriculum combining theory, practical training, and cooperative education, it ensures graduates are competent, skilled professionals capable of lifelong learning.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HR014901 | Cooperative Education | Provides inclusive and equitable quality education through extensive, supervised professional work experience, ensuring students acquire the technical and vocational skills for employment (Target 4.4). |
| HR014801 | High-Speed Railway Engineering Project | Enhances education for sustainable development by enabling students to conduct a comprehensive design or research project, applying their knowledge to solve real-world railway engineering problems (Target 4.7). |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: The program is a direct driver of economic growth by training engineers for a major national infrastructure initiative. High-speed rail projects are significant economic catalysts, creating numerous high-value, decent jobs in construction, operation, and maintenance. The curriculum's focus on project management and safety promotes productive and safe work environments.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HR014601 | Railway Project Management | Contributes to higher levels of economic productivity through efficient management of large-scale infrastructure projects, which are major sources of employment (Target 8.2). |
| EN010003 | Professional and Ethical Practice | Promotes decent work by ensuring graduates understand and adhere to the ethical and professional standards that protect labor rights and promote safe working environments (Target 8.8). |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: This program is the very definition of building industry, innovation, and infrastructure. Its entire curriculum is focused on the planning, design, construction, and operation of high-speed railway systems—a complex, technology-intensive, and transformative piece of national infrastructure that drives innovation in materials, control systems, and transportation.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HR011001 | Introduction to Railway Engineering | Is fundamental to developing quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure by providing a comprehensive overview of railway systems (Target 9.1). |
| HR013101 | Railway Route and Track Engineering | Directly supports the development of quality and resilient infrastructure by focusing on the core civil engineering aspects of railway construction (Target 9.1). |
| HR013301 | Railway Signaling and Control Engineering | Fosters innovation by teaching the advanced command and control systems that are essential for the safe and efficient operation of modern railways, upgrading the technological capabilities of the transport sector (Target 9.4). |
| HR014201 | High-Speed Railway Technology | Enhances scientific research and innovation by focusing on the cutting-edge technologies that enable high-speed rail (Target 9.5). |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: The program is essential for making cities and communities more sustainable and connected. High-speed rail provides a safe, affordable, and sustainable mode of transport, reducing road congestion, enabling more integrated regional planning, and connecting urban and rural areas.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HR012401 | Transportation System Engineering | Contributes to providing access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all by analyzing and planning integrated transport networks (Target 11.2). |
| HR014101 | Urban and Regional Rail Transit | Directly supports sustainable transport systems by focusing on the role of rail in urban and regional mobility, which is key to reducing traffic congestion and air pollution (Target 11.2). |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The curriculum promotes responsible production by focusing on the efficient use of materials and energy in the construction and operation of railways. The principles of project management and the selection of durable materials are key to optimizing resource use in these large-scale projects.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HR014601 | Railway Project Management | Promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by teaching methods to plan and control the use of materials and energy during construction, thereby reducing waste (Target 12.2). |
SDG 13: Climate ActionAlignment Summary: The program provides a direct and powerful engineering solution for climate action. High-speed rail is one of the most energy-efficient modes of mass transport, and building this infrastructure is a key national strategy for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HR014201 | High-Speed Railway Technology | Contributes to climate change mitigation by promoting a low-carbon mode of transport, integrating climate change measures into national policies and infrastructure planning (Target 13.2). |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The program contributes to building strong institutions by instilling a deep understanding of professional ethics and legal frameworks related to large infrastructure projects. This is fundamental to creating an engineering and construction industry that operates with accountability, transparency, and combats corruption in public works.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| EN010003 | Professional and Ethical Practice | Contributes to developing effective, accountable and transparent institutions by grounding future engineers in the ethical principles that must govern their profession, helping to combat corruption in large-scale public projects (Target 16.5). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: As an international program focused on a global technology, it inherently fosters partnerships for the goals. The cooperative education program creates a vital bridge between the university and the multinational companies involved in the railway industry, facilitating the technology transfer, knowledge sharing, and collaboration needed to achieve this major sustainable development project.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HR014901 | Cooperative Education | Directly encourages and promotes effective public-private partnerships by immersing students in the companies and agencies building the national rail network, fostering collaborative experience (Target 17.17). |