Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Thai Language is fundamentally dedicated to producing high-level researchers and academics who can create and disseminate new knowledge in Thai language, literature, and folklore. The program's core mission is to conduct internationally recognized, interdisciplinary research, making it a powerful contributor to SDG 4 (Quality Education) by advancing pedagogical practices and curriculum design in Thai language education. Through its deep focus on language and culture, the curriculum is a key driver for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by safeguarding and promoting the nation's rich literary and cultural heritage. By training experts in discourse analysis and language policy, the program also supports SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and contributes to reducing inequalities under SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). As a doctoral program, it inherently fosters the international collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Best Practices
Doctor of Philosophy in Thai Language has advanced conservation-oriented research for the creative economy through the project "Advanced Corpus Development and Semantic Mapping of Endangered Isan Dialects for Digital Preservation and Economic Value Creation." The primary objective of this initiative is to prevent the loss of endangered Isan dialects and to generate added economic value from linguistic heritage. The project integrates academic knowledge from core courses, including HS 841 901 Contemporary Thai Linguistic Theory and HS 841 903 Thai Linguistic Research Methodology, in a rigorous manner.
Students have employed computational linguistics and semantic mapping techniques to collect, store, and analyze Isan dialects in a large-scale, easily searchable digital corpus. This work addresses the decline in intergenerational language transmission and has resulted in the development of digital tools for learning Isan dialects and prototypes of language-based cultural products, which have been disseminated to educational institutions and media enterprises.
The sustainable impact of this initiative is reflected in increased awareness and pride in local languages and in supporting the Isan language and literature as a solid foundation for the growth of the regional creative industries. This activity is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education) in promoting lifelong learning and the preservation of cultural heritage; SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) in safeguarding and maintaining global wisdom and cultural heritage; and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) in supporting creativity and innovation for sustainable economic growth.
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: This program is the epitome of quality education, designed to cultivate expert researchers and educators who can lead and transform Thai language education. The curriculum provides a deep theoretical and practical foundation in designing, implementing, and evaluating effective and inclusive language learning experiences, directly contributing to lifelong learning opportunities for all.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS418712 | Research Methodology in Thai Language | 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). |
| HS418742 | Thai Language Curriculum and Learning Management | Directly enhances the quality of education by focusing on the systematic design of effective and relevant Thai language curricula that promote lifelong learning skills (Target 4.7). |
| Dissertation | Dissertation | Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research to advance the field of Thai language, thereby acquiring superior skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4). |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The program contributes to reducing inequalities by fostering a deep understanding of the relationship between language and society. By analyzing regional dialects and the language of ethnic groups, the curriculum promotes the social and cultural inclusion of diverse linguistic communities within the nation.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS418725 | Dialectology and Language of Ethnic Groups in Thailand | Directly aligns with Target 10.2 by promoting the social and cultural inclusion of all through the study and preservation of regional and ethnic languages, which is crucial for ensuring equal opportunity. |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: This program is fundamentally focused on making communities inclusive and sustainable by safeguarding the nation's rich cultural heritage. The curriculum equips researchers with the skills to study, analyze, and preserve Thai literature and folklore, ensuring that this invaluable intangible heritage is protected and transmitted to future generations.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS418731 | Literary Theory and Criticism | Provides the theoretical framework for analyzing and preserving literary works, which are a key component of a nation's cultural heritage (Target 11.4). |
| HS418733 | Thai Literary History | Directly supports efforts to safeguard cultural heritage by documenting and analyzing the historical development of Thai literature (Target 11.4). |
| HS418735 | Seminar on Folklore | Contributes to the metric on 'Support of arts and heritage' by focusing on the study and preservation of folklore, a vital part of intangible cultural heritage (Target 11.4). |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The program is instrumental in building strong institutions by training experts in language policy and discourse analysis. This skill is essential for ensuring that public information is clear and accessible, and for analyzing the language used in political and legal contexts to promote justice and transparent governance.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS418722 | Discourse Analysis | Directly supports the development of effective, accountable and transparent institutions (Target 16.6) by teaching the critical analysis of language in public and political discourse. |
| HS418724 | Language Policy and Planning | Contributes to responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making (Target 16.7) by focusing on the development of sound language policies for a multilingual society. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program's international scope and research-intensive nature foster partnerships for sustainable development. Through seminars and the dissertation process, students engage with the global academic community, promoting the knowledge-sharing and collaborations needed to achieve global educational and cultural goals.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS418991 | Seminar in Thai Language 1 | Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with and present on international research, fostering a culture of global knowledge-sharing. |
| Dissertation | Dissertation | Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to solve critical educational and cultural challenges. |