Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Doctor of Philosophy Program

SDG Alignment for Doctor of Philosophy Program

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Philosophy program at the Faculty of Engineering is holistically designed to be a cornerstone of sustainable development. It aims to produce doctoral graduates with profound, integrated knowledge across various engineering disciplines to lead in creating technology and innovation. The program's core philosophy is deeply aligned with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), as it is structured to drive the creation of resilient infrastructure and foster sustainable industrialization. Through its diverse specializations, the curriculum is a powerful contributor to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). By emphasizing research that addresses societal needs, the program also has significant relevance to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), and SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). As a doctoral-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and promotes the global partnerships essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

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Alignment Summary: This program supports the goal of achieving zero hunger by training innovators to improve agricultural productivity and food systems. Courses focus on post-harvest technology to reduce food loss and on logistics and supply chain management to ensure efficient and sustainable distribution of food resources.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 327 201	Engineering Application for Postharvest Technology	Directly addresses food security by teaching technologies to reduce post-harvest losses, which is critical for maintaining stable food supplies (Target 2.1).
EN 327 202	Advanced Rice Processing Technology	Contributes to food security and improved nutrition (Target 2.2) by enhancing the value and quality of a staple food source.
EN 427 403	Agricultural and Food Logistics and Supply Chain Management	Aligns with ensuring sustainable food production systems (Target 2.4) by optimizing the efficiency and resilience of food distribution networks.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to good health and well-being by advancing medical technology and environmental health. Courses on biomedical engineering, biomaterials, and environmental management equip graduates to develop innovative healthcare solutions and mitigate health risks from pollution.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 017 100	Biomechanics	Supports health innovation (Target 3.B) by applying mechanical principles to understand biological systems, leading to better medical devices and treatments.
EN 017 202	Biomedical Machine Learning	Contributes to health and well-being by applying machine learning to analyze biomedical data for improved diagnostics and personalized medicine.
EN 227 210	Biomedical Instrumentation	Supports the development of new medicines and treatments (Target 3.B) by training experts to create advanced diagnostic and monitoring equipment.
EN 457 102	Biomaterials and Applications of Biomaterials	Directly contributes to health innovation by focusing on the development of new materials for medical devices, implants, and drug delivery systems.

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum is the epitome of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert researchers and innovators by providing advanced training in research methodologies and fostering a culture of lifelong learning, thereby contributing to the creation of new knowledge for sustainable development.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 007 001	Engineering Research Methodology	This course is a cornerstone of quality tertiary education, equipping doctoral students with the high-level research skills needed for innovation and lifelong learning (Target 4.3 and 4.4).
Dissertation (All Codes)	Dissertation	The dissertation is a capstone educational experience that fosters independent research and advanced problem-solving skills, contributing significantly to the creation of new knowledge and promoting lifelong learning (Target 4.4, 4.7).

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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Alignment Summary: The program is central to ensuring the availability and sustainable management of water. Through specialized courses in water resources management, water treatment, and environmental engineering, it trains experts to design and implement innovative solutions for water quality, sanitation, and efficient water use.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 127 606	Integrated River Basin Management	Directly aligns with Target 6.5 by teaching the principles of integrated water resources management at all levels.
EN 147 202	Community water supply system	Contributes to Target 6.1 by focusing on the development and management of safe and affordable drinking water systems for communities.
EN 627 102	Advanced Wastewater Treatment Processes	Directly contributes to improving water quality and sanitation by focusing on innovative wastewater treatment technologies (Target 6.2, 6.3).
EN 627 103	Advanced Water Treatment Processes	Supports access to safe drinking water (Target 6.1) by teaching advanced methods for water purification.
EN 627 110	Water quality and management	Aligns with protecting and restoring water-related ecosystems, a key component of Target 6.6.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

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Alignment Summary: The program is a major driver for the transition to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy. It offers deep expertise in renewable energy technologies, energy management, and the critical engineering systems like power electronics needed to build a modern, clean energy infrastructure.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 147 301	Alternative energy for water management	Promotes energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in the critical sector of water management (Target 7.2, 7.3).
EN 227 104	Photovoltaic Solar Energy Systems	Directly increases the share of renewable energy by focusing on a key clean energy technology (Target 7.2).
EN 327 203	Power and Renewable Energy	Contributes to ensuring access to affordable and clean energy by exploring renewable energy applications (Target 7.1, 7.2).
EN 547 501	Renewable Energy Conversion Technologies	Supports clean energy research and technology (Target 7.A) by covering various methods of converting renewable resources into usable energy.
EN 547 509	Energy Management in Buildings	Directly contributes to improving energy efficiency, a core component of Target 7.3.
EN 727 703	Biomass for Renewable Energy and Fuel	Focuses on increasing the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to decent work and economic growth by preparing graduates to lead in high-value, innovative industries. A focus on entrepreneurship fosters job creation, while courses in industrial engineering ensure the development of productive, safe, and efficient work environments.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 427 402	Marketing Management for Industrial Engineer	Supports economic productivity through diversification and technological upgrading (Target 8.2) by equipping engineers with marketing skills to bring innovations to market.
EN 427 110	Smart Operations Management	Contributes to achieving higher levels of economic productivity through innovation and the optimization of industrial operations (Target 8.2).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: This program is at the core of building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. The interdisciplinary curriculum prepares graduates to lead scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of all industries, and develop the sustainable infrastructure of the future.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 007 001	Engineering Research Methodology	Enhances scientific research and innovation (Target 9.5) by providing doctoral students with the core skills to conduct high-impact engineering research.
EN 227 304	Electric Vehicle	Promotes innovation in the automotive and transport industries, contributing to sustainable industrialization and clean technology (Target 9.2, 9.4).
EN 427 111	Digital Factory	Supports the upgrading of industrial infrastructure (Target 9.4) by focusing on the integration of digital technologies into manufacturing.
EN 827 302	Advanced Internet of Things	Fosters innovation (Target 9.5) by providing expertise in a key technology for building smart and resilient infrastructure.
Dissertation (All Codes)	Dissertation	Represents a significant contribution to enhancing scientific research and fostering innovation across all engineering disciplines (Target 9.5).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The program is essential for creating sustainable cities and communities. It provides the engineering expertise needed for sustainable urban transportation, integrated water management, and pollution control, thereby making human settlements more inclusive, safe, and resilient.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 127 502	Sustainable Urban Transportation Planning	Directly supports inclusive and sustainable urbanization by focusing on the planning of safe, affordable, and accessible transport systems (Target 11.2).
EN 127 614	Flood Management and Urban Stormwater	Contributes to making cities more resilient to water-related disasters, a key aspect of Target 11.5.
EN 627 104	Air Pollution Technology and Management	Directly addresses Target 11.6 by focusing on reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality.
EN 127 413	Geospatial Technology for Smart City Development	Supports positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning (Target 11.a)

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum is fundamentally aligned with ensuring sustainable consumption and production patterns. It trains experts to design processes that achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, manage waste and pollution, and promote a circular economy.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 427 404	Green Manufacturing Management	Promotes the adoption of sustainable practices and the integration of sustainability information into industrial processes (Target 12.6).
EN 627 108	Solid Waste Disposal and Management	Directly addresses Target 12.5 by substantially reducing waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse.
EN 727 703	Biomass for Renewable Energy and Fuel	Supports the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by converting biomass into valuable energy products.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

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Alignment Summary: This program supports the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems. Through courses in aquatic chemistry and water quality management, it prepares graduates to address and mitigate marine and freshwater pollution originating from land-based activities.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 627 000	Aquatic Chemistry	Directly contributes to preventing and reducing marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities (Target 14.1).
EN 627 110	Water quality and management	Aligns with Target 14.1 by providing the skills to manage and mitigate land-based activities that cause nutrient pollution and harm marine ecosystems.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: This research-intensive, interdisciplinary program inherently builds partnerships for sustainable development. The creation and dissemination of advanced engineering knowledge promotes the international and multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for addressing the interconnected challenges of all SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EN 007 001	Engineering Research Methodology	Enhances capacity-building for sustainable development (Target 17.9) by providing students with the skills to conduct and report data, which is essential for monitoring SDG progress globally.
Dissertation (All Codes)	Dissertation	Represents a significant contribution to the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by creating new, publishable knowledge in science and technology that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges.