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Khon Kaen University

Bachelor of Engineering Program in Agricultural Engineering

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Engineering Program in Agricultural Engineering

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Engineering in Agricultural Engineering program is holistically and fundamentally aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by training professionals who are at the nexus of technology, agriculture, and environmental stewardship. The curriculum's philosophy, emphasizing the application of engineering principles to solve challenges in food production and natural resource management, makes it a powerful contributor to sustainability. The program is a cornerstone of SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), with nearly every course aimed at improving agricultural productivity and reducing post-harvest losses. It directly addresses SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through comprehensive training in irrigation, drainage, and water resource management. By focusing on smart farming technologies, mechanization, and renewable energy, the curriculum is a key driver for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). Furthermore, its emphasis on soil and water conservation and precision agriculture contributes significantly to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). As a professional engineering program, it is a flagship of SDG 4 (Quality Education).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 2 Icon SDG 2: Zero Hunger

Alignment Summary: This program is the embodiment of engineering for Zero Hunger. Its entire curriculum is dedicated to designing and implementing the technologies and systems needed to create productive, resilient, and sustainable food production systems. It addresses every aspect of the food production chain, from land preparation and water management to harvesting and post-harvest processing.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE222101Agricultural MachineryDirectly supports doubling the agricultural productivity of small-scale food producers through mechanization and access to technology (Target 2.3).
AE323301Agricultural Processing Engineering IContributes to ending hunger by teaching engineering principles to process and preserve agricultural products, thereby reducing post-harvest losses and ensuring food quality (Target 2.1).
AE323201Irrigation and Drainage EngineeringIs fundamental to ensuring sustainable food production systems by providing the engineering knowledge to manage water for agriculture, increasing productivity and resilience (Target 2.4).
AE424103Precision AgricultureAligns with implementing resilient agricultural practices by using technology to optimize inputs (water, fertilizer), which increases yields and improves farm sustainability (Target 2.4).

SDG 4 Icon SDG 4: Quality Education

Alignment Summary: This professional engineering program provides a high-quality, specialized education that equips students with the technical and analytical skills required to solve complex problems in agriculture and resource management. Through a curriculum that combines theory, laboratory work, and cooperative education, it ensures graduates are competent, skilled professionals capable of lifelong learning.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE420498Agricultural Engineering ProjectEnhances education for sustainable development by enabling students to conduct a comprehensive design or research project, applying their knowledge to solve real-world problems (Target 4.7).
EN014002Engineering Cooperative EducationProvides inclusive and equitable quality education through extensive, supervised professional work experience, ensuring students acquire the technical and vocational skills for employment (Target 4.4).

SDG 6 Icon SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

Alignment Summary: The program is central to ensuring the sustainable management of water, particularly in the agricultural sector, which is the world's largest user of water. The curriculum provides comprehensive training in the engineering of irrigation, drainage, and water conservation systems to substantially increase water-use efficiency.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE323201Irrigation and Drainage EngineeringDirectly addresses the need to substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors by focusing on the design of efficient systems for agricultural water delivery and removal (Target 6.4).
AE424203Soil and Water Conservation EngineeringSupports the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems by implementing engineering measures to prevent soil erosion and manage runoff, which protects water quality (Target 6.6).
AE424204Groundwater Hydrology and ManagementContributes to the integrated management of water resources by focusing on the sustainable use and management of groundwater for agriculture (Target 6.5).

SDG 7 Icon SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to affordable and clean energy by exploring the use of renewable energy sources on the farm. It provides the engineering knowledge to design and implement systems for biomass energy and solar power in agricultural settings, promoting energy independence and sustainability.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE323401Agricultural Electrification and EnergyContributes to increasing the share of renewable energy by teaching the application of various energy sources, including renewables like solar power, in agricultural operations (Target 7.2).
AE424104Biomass Energy ConversionDirectly enhances access to clean energy research and technology by focusing on the engineering of systems to convert agricultural waste and biomass into usable energy (Target 7.A).

SDG 8 Icon SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alignment Summary: The program is a direct driver of economic growth in the agricultural sector. By introducing technologies that improve efficiency, reduce labor drudgery, and increase yields, agricultural engineering enhances the productivity and profitability of farms, contributing to rural economic development and decent work.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE222101Agricultural MachineryContributes to higher levels of economic productivity through technological upgrading and innovation in the agricultural sector (Target 8.2).
AE424303Farm Layout Planning and ManagementSupports sustained and inclusive economic growth by teaching how to plan and manage farms for maximum efficiency and profitability (Target 8.2).
EN010003Professional and Ethical PracticePromotes decent work by ensuring graduates understand and adhere to the ethical and professional standards that promote safe working environments (Target 8.8).

SDG 9 Icon SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally about building the innovation and infrastructure needed for a modern, sustainable agricultural industry. It focuses on designing and developing smart farming systems, advanced agricultural machinery, and the infrastructure for irrigation, drainage, and post-harvest handling.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE424103Precision AgricultureEnhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of the agricultural sector by focusing on the application of GPS, sensors, and data management for smart farming (Target 9.5).
AE322102Agricultural Machinery DesignFosters innovation by training students to design and develop new and improved machinery to increase the efficiency and sustainability of agriculture (Target 9.4).
AE323201Irrigation and Drainage EngineeringDirectly supports the development of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure by focusing on the systems that provide and manage water for agriculture (Target 9.1).

SDG 11 Icon SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

Alignment Summary: The program contributes to sustainable communities, particularly in rural areas, by providing the engineering expertise for essential infrastructure. This includes designing rural roads, managing water resources for communities, and developing sustainable waste management solutions.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE424203Soil and Water Conservation EngineeringStrengthens positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning for sustainable land management (Target 11.A).

SDG 12 Icon SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Alignment Summary: The curriculum strongly promotes responsible production patterns in agriculture. Precision agriculture minimizes the use of inputs like fertilizer and water, while agricultural processing engineering reduces post-harvest food loss, both of which are central to the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE424103Precision AgriculturePromotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by applying inputs only where and when they are needed, reducing waste and environmental impact (Target 12.2).
AE323301Agricultural Processing Engineering IContributes to substantially reducing waste generation and food losses along production and supply chains through improved processing and storage (Target 12.3 & 12.5).
AE424104Biomass Energy ConversionSupports responsible production by teaching how to convert agricultural waste into a valuable energy resource (Target 12.5).

SDG 13 Icon SDG 13: Climate Action

Alignment Summary: The program addresses climate action by training engineers to develop climate-smart agriculture. This includes designing efficient irrigation systems to cope with drought, implementing soil conservation measures to enhance resilience, and promoting renewable energy to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from farming operations.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE424203Soil and Water Conservation EngineeringStrengthens resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters by implementing engineering measures to protect against droughts, floods, and soil degradation (Target 13.1).
AE424103Precision AgricultureContributes to climate change mitigation by optimizing fertilizer use, which can reduce nitrous oxide emissions, and by improving energy efficiency on the farm (Target 13.2).

SDG 15 Icon SDG 15: Life On Land

Alignment Summary: The curriculum is fundamentally aligned with protecting terrestrial ecosystems through its dedicated focus on soil and water conservation engineering. It provides the core engineering principles to combat land degradation, prevent soil erosion, and promote the sustainable management of land resources.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
AE424203Soil and Water Conservation EngineeringDirectly takes urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats and halt and reverse land degradation by focusing on engineering solutions to soil erosion (Target 15.1 & 15.3).

SDG 17 Icon SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Alignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its cooperative education model, which creates a vital bridge between the university and the agricultural machinery, food processing, and irrigation industries. This collaboration is essential for ensuring that engineering education is relevant and that graduates are prepared to contribute to sustainable agriculture.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
EN014002Engineering Cooperative EducationDirectly encourages and promotes effective public-private partnerships by immersing students in real-world agricultural engineering companies, building collaborative experience (Target 17.17).