Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Ph.D. in Public Administration

SDG Alignment for Doctor of Philosophy Program in Public Administration

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Public Administration is holistically designed to produce researchers, academics, and executives with the advanced knowledge and ethical grounding to lead public sector transformation. The program's core philosophy—to integrate interdisciplinary knowledge and create innovations for public and social development—positions it as a cornerstone for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Its most profound alignment is with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), as nearly every course is dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness, accountability, and inclusivity of public governance. By training leaders to formulate sound public policy and manage public resources ethically, the curriculum is a key driver for SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) and SDG 1 (No Poverty). The program's focus on local governance and crisis management directly supports SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), while its emphasis on collaborative governance is central to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). As a doctoral-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1: No Poverty

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to poverty reduction by equipping graduates with the skills to analyze its root causes and formulate effective public policies. The curriculum explores various development theories and strategies aimed at creating pro-poor policy frameworks and promoting sustainable livelihoods.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS478712	Advanced Public Policy	Directly addresses poverty by analyzing the policy tools available to governments to create pro-poor and gender-sensitive policy frameworks, aligning with UN Target 1.B.

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 academics 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
HS478701	Advanced Research Methodology for Public Administration	Provides the core research skills that define high-quality doctoral education, equipping students for high-level employment and lifelong learning in research and academia (Target 4.3 and 4.4).
HS47899X	Dissertation	Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical and professional skills (Target 4.4).

SDG 5: Gender Equality

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum promotes gender equality by integrating principles of ethics and social responsibility into the study of governance. It prepares future leaders to develop and implement policies that are inclusive and ensure equal opportunities for all genders in public life.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS478725	Governance, Ethics, and Social Responsibility	Supports gender equality by teaching principles of ethical governance and social responsibility, which are foundational to creating policies that ensure full and effective participation and equal opportunities (Target 5.5).

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 and manage public organizations effectively. Courses on financial management and human resources equip leaders to create stable public sector environments and policies that foster sustainable economic development and fair employment practices.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS478713	Advanced Organization and Human Resources Management	Aligns with Target 8.8 by focusing on administrative reform and effective human resource management, which supports the creation of safe and secure working environments in the public sector.
HS478721	Public Financial and Fiscal Management	Contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth by analyzing the interplay between government fiscal policies and economic outcomes (Target 8.1).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: This program is a catalyst for innovation in public sector management. By providing advanced training in digital government and project management, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of public institutions, fostering a more resilient and innovative public infrastructure.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS478723	Project Management and Evaluation	Supports the development of sustainable and resilient infrastructure (Target 9.1) by teaching the principles of effective project management within the public sector.
HS478726	Digital Government Management	Drives innovation by focusing on the application of digital technologies to create more efficient and effective public services, thereby upgrading institutional technological capabilities (Target 9.4).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

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Alignment Summary: The program directly addresses inequality by training professionals to develop and implement equitable public policies. The curriculum provides the tools to analyze how social and economic factors create disparities and to design interventions that promote social and economic inclusion for all populations.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS478712	Advanced Public Policy	Directly aligns with Target 10.4 by focusing on the adoption of policies, especially fiscal and social protection policies, that progressively achieve greater equality.
HS478725	Governance, Ethics, and Social Responsibility	Contributes to Target 10.2 by promoting the social and economic inclusion of all through the study of ethical governance and socially responsible policies.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: This program is central to creating sustainable cities and communities by focusing on local governance and crisis management. Graduates are equipped with the skills to manage urban and community development, strengthen resilience to disasters, and contribute to inclusive and sustainable human settlement planning.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS478722	Local and Community Governance	Directly supports Target 11.3 by providing skills for inclusive and sustainable urbanization and participatory planning.
HS478728	Crisis Management	Directly aligns with making cities and human settlements more resilient to disasters, a key component of Target 11.5.

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to climate action by training experts in crisis management. This knowledge is crucial for strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, and for integrating climate change measures into national and local policies.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS478728	Crisis Management	Directly supports Target 13.1 by strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Alignment Summary: The program is instrumental in building strong institutions. The curriculum equips future leaders with the skills to manage organizations effectively, develop sound policies, and ensure ethical and accountable governance. This focus is essential for creating effective, transparent, and resilient public institutions at all levels.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS478711	Advanced Public Administration Theory	Provides the foundational knowledge for leading and managing public organizations, which is essential for building effective, accountable and inclusive institutions (Target 16.6).
HS478712	Advanced Public Policy	Contributes to responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels (Target 16.7).
HS478724	Strategic Management in Public Sector	Directly supports the development of effective, accountable and transparent institutions by teaching strategic planning and management for the public sector (Target 16.6).
HS478725	Governance, Ethics, and Social Responsibility	Contributes to building effective and accountable institutions by focusing on the principles of ethical and responsible governance (Target 16.6).
HS478727	Public and Collaborative Governance	Promotes participatory and representative decision-making by examining models of collaborative governance involving multiple stakeholders (Target 16.7).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program's interdisciplinary nature and focus on collaborative governance foster partnerships for sustainable development. Through seminars and specialized courses, students engage with diverse stakeholders, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for achieving the SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
HS471995	Seminar on Public, Private and Civil Sector Management	This course is foundational to SDG 17, focusing on the mechanisms for building effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships (Target 17.17).
HS478727	Public and Collaborative Governance	Enhances multi-stakeholder partnerships by examining models of governance that involve collaboration between government, civil society, and the private sector (Target 17.17).
HS47899X	Dissertation	Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to solve critical governance challenges.