Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Master of Rural Development Management program at Khon Kaen University is designed to create "rural development practitioners" who can drive sustainable development based on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy. The program's philosophy, which focuses on creating leaders who can manage change, foster social innovation, and work with communities to balance economic, social, and environmental dimensions, is at the heart of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum is strongly aligned with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) through its emphasis on community economic development and sustainable agriculture. It also directly supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) through its focus on community and community organization management, which is essential for building strong, self-reliant communities. In the environmental dimension, the program promotes SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land) through the course Natural Resources and Environmental Management. The emphasis on community health management also aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), while the focus on reducing social inequality aligns with SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). As a graduate-level program, it is a direct contributor to SDG 4 (Quality Education), and its promotion of research and collaboration with various partners instills the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Alignment Summary: This program directly addresses poverty by training practitioners in rural development. It provides the theoretical and practical knowledge needed to understand the root causes of poverty and to design and implement strategies for poverty eradication in rural communities.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 101 | Philosophy and Concepts of Rural Development | Provides the foundational knowledge for understanding and addressing the root causes of poverty in rural contexts (Target 1.1 & 1.2). |
RD 701 201 | Sufficiency Economy for Rural Development | Teaches the principles of the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, promoting sustainable livelihoods and responsible resource management to build economic resilience and end poverty (Target 1.4). |
Alignment Summary: The program contributes to achieving zero hunger by focusing on sustainable agriculture and community-based food systems. It equips students with the skills to manage agricultural resources in a way that enhances productivity and ensures food security for rural populations.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 712 | Sustainable Agriculture Management | Directly addresses food security by teaching sustainable farming practices that enhance productivity while protecting the environment (Target 2.3 & 2.4). |
Alignment Summary: The curriculum supports good health and well-being by educating students on community health management. This includes strategies for improving access to healthcare, promoting nutrition, and managing public health in rural areas.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 714 | Community Health Management | Addresses well-being at the community level by teaching strategies for managing public health, nutrition, and healthcare access in rural areas (Target 3.8). |
Alignment Summary: As a master's degree program, it provides high-quality, specialized education in rural development. It equips students with advanced research skills and promotes lifelong learning, preparing them for leadership roles in academia, government, and civil society.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 501 | Research Methodology for Rural Development | Provides students with advanced research skills that are essential for high-level employment and for creating new knowledge in the field (Target 4.4). |
RD 701 998 | Thesis | Represents a capstone research experience, promoting lifelong learning and equipping students with superior technical and vocational skills (Target 4.3 & 4.4). |
Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to the sustainable management of water resources. Students learn to use integrated approaches to manage watersheds and water-related ecosystems, supporting community-based water management and conservation efforts.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 301 | Natural Resources and Environmental Management | Directly supports the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems and promotes community participation in water management (Target 6.6 & 6.B). |
Alignment Summary: The program promotes decent work and economic growth by focusing on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy, which emphasizes sustainable livelihoods and community-based economic development. It prepares graduates to create economic opportunities that are inclusive and environmentally responsible.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 201 | Sufficiency Economy for Rural Development | Promotes sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth by teaching a development model that emphasizes resilience and responsible resource management (Target 8.1 & 8.4). |
Alignment Summary: The program addresses the reduction of inequalities by focusing on inclusive rural development. Students learn to analyze and address the social, economic, and political factors that contribute to inequality, and to design interventions that empower marginalized communities.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 101 | Philosophy and Concepts of Rural Development | Provides a theoretical basis for understanding and addressing the root causes of inequality in rural areas (Target 10.1 & 10.2). |
Alignment Summary: This curriculum directly supports the development of sustainable communities by focusing on community management and organization. It prepares graduates to strengthen local governance, foster participatory planning, and build resilient, self-reliant rural communities.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 711 | Community and Community Organization Management | Directly addresses the need for participatory and integrated human settlement planning by equipping students with the skills to manage and strengthen local communities (Target 11.3 & 11.A). |
Alignment Summary: The program promotes responsible consumption and production through its focus on the Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and sustainable agriculture. It teaches students how to manage resources efficiently and to develop production systems that are environmentally sound and socially responsible.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 201 | Sufficiency Economy for Rural Development | Directly promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, a core principle of responsible production (Target 12.2). |
RD 701 712 | Sustainable Agriculture Management | Encourages sustainable production practices by teaching environmentally sound farming techniques (Target 12.4). |
Alignment Summary: The program provides essential tools for climate action at the local level. Students learn to integrate climate change measures into community planning and to manage natural resources in a way that strengthens resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
---|---|---|
RD 701 301 | Natural Resources and Environmental Management | Contributes to strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards by teaching students how to manage ecosystems sustainably (Target 13.1). This also improves education and awareness-raising on climate change adaptation (Target 13.3). |
Alignment Summary: The curriculum supports the conservation of aquatic ecosystems through its focus on integrated natural resource management. Students learn about the importance of protecting water-related ecosystems from land-based activities, contributing to the health of life below water.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 301 | Natural Resources and Environmental Management | Provides the tools and techniques to sustainably manage and protect aquatic ecosystems from land-based pollution and to conserve coastal and marine areas (Target 14.1 & 14.2). |
Alignment Summary: This program is essential for the sustainable management of terrestrial ecosystems. Students learn to apply integrated approaches to manage forests, combat land degradation, and conserve biodiversity, directly contributing to the protection and restoration of life on land.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 301 | Natural Resources and Environmental Management | Directly supports the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems, including forests and mountains (Target 15.1 & 15.2). |
RD 701 712 | Sustainable Agriculture Management | Promotes agricultural practices that maintain ecosystems and help combat desertification and land degradation (Target 15.3). |
Alignment Summary: The program contributes to building strong institutions at the local level by educating practitioners in community management and participatory governance. It fosters the development of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions that are responsive to the needs of rural communities.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 711 | Community and Community Organization Management | Contributes to developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at the local level by teaching the principles of community governance (Target 16.6). This also ensures responsive, inclusive, and participatory decision-making (Target 16.7). |
Alignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its research-intensive focus and emphasis on community engagement. Thesis and project work often require collaboration with local communities, government agencies, and NGOs, promoting the multi-stakeholder partnerships necessary for sustainable rural development.
Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
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RD 701 998 | Thesis | Represents a significant contribution to partnerships by creating new knowledge through research conducted in collaboration with local communities and organizations (Target 17.17). |
RD 701 891 | Seminar in Rural Development Management | Promotes knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder dialogue on best practices in rural development, enhancing the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.16). |