Khon Kaen University

SDG Alignment for Master of Music Program in Music

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Music Program in Music is designed to produce musicians, educators, and researchers with advanced skills and a deep understanding of music in its cultural and social contexts. The program's core philosophy is deeply aligned with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by training graduates to become high-caliber educators and lifelong learners who can contribute to the cultural and educational enrichment of society.

The curriculum's focus on cultural heritage and community engagement makes a significant contribution to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). By preparing graduates for careers in the creative industries, the program supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth). The program's emphasis on innovation and technology in music aligns with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Furthermore, the program's commitment to ethical practices and intellectual property reinforces SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), while its collaborative nature fosters the global partnerships essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Best Practices

        The Master of Music Program in Music Composition demonstrates Khon Kaen University's excellence in applying advanced musical arts for sustainable well-being enhancement.
        This focuses on integrating knowledge from the core course FA 387 521 Music and Well-being to respond to the urgent challenges of access to mental health services and the rise in depression among the elderly in rural society.
        Students conducted research and developed a prototype Music Therapy Program that utilizes the foundation of Isan folk music to create an easily understandable and accessible form of psychosocial therapy. This was done in collaboration with elderly individuals in vulnerable communities and local medical personnel to test preliminary clinical effectiveness.
        The immediate evident result is the creation of a standardized Music Therapy Manual and Program that is transferable and readily implementable, and the establishment of an ad-hoc music therapy specialist team to serve as the initial driving mechanism.
        This generates a widespread sustainable impact by clearly elevating the quality of life and mental well-being of the elderly in the community, fostering emotional and social resilience among vulnerable groups, and creating a permanent prototype for applying local arts and culture for therapeutic treatment that can be scaled up to other areas at the regional level.
        This operation is therefore strategically aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3: Good Health and Well-being (by enhancing mental well-being and reducing the disease burden among the elderly), SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities (by providing opportunities for access to high-quality mental health services in hard-to-reach communities), and SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities (by using the dimension of local culture to build social strength and well-being in the community through participation).