Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Development Science is fundamentally designed to produce researchers and leaders who can create integrated, sustainable solutions for complex societal challenges. The program's core philosophy, which emphasizes multidisciplinary approaches to development, makes it a powerful contributor across a wide range of Sustainable Development Goals. Its most profound alignment is with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) through its focus on public policy and collaborative governance, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by addressing issues of sustainable management and disaster resilience. By examining development theories and practices, the curriculum directly addresses the root causes of poverty and inequality, aligning with SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities). As a doctoral-level program focused on creating new knowledge for development, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and inherently promotes the multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
SDG 1: No PovertyAlignment Summary: The program contributes to poverty reduction by equipping graduates with the skills to analyze its root causes and formulate effective development 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 |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 711 | Development Theory | Directly addresses poverty by analyzing its economic, social, and political dimensions, aligning with UN Target 1.B, which focuses on creating pro-poor and gender-sensitive policy frameworks. |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment 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 |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 701 | Advanced Research Methodology in Social Sciences | 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). |
| HS 498 99X | Seminar / Dissertation | These courses are capstone lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) where students engage with the academic community and conduct original research, acquiring superior technical and professional skills (Target 4.4). |
SDG 6: Clean Water and SanitationAlignment Summary: The program addresses the sustainable management of water resources, particularly within the context of regional development. By studying development issues in the Mekong sub-region, the curriculum equips graduates to understand and contribute to policies related to transboundary water governance and the protection of water-related ecosystems.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 732 | Development Issues in Mekong Sub-region | Supports the implementation of integrated water resources management (Target 6.5) by examining the complex water-related challenges and governance structures within a major international river basin. |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: The program contributes to inclusive and sustainable economic growth by training leaders who can formulate effective development policies. The curriculum provides the tools to analyze economic systems and design strategies that promote productive employment and sustainable economic development.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 711 | Development Theory | Contributes to achieving higher levels of economic productivity (Target 8.2) by analyzing various models of economic development and their implications for policy. |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The program directly addresses inequality by training professionals to develop and implement equitable development policies. The curriculum provides the tools to analyze how social, economic, and political factors create disparities and to design interventions that promote social and economic inclusion for all.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 711 | Development Theory | Directly aligns with Target 10.4 by focusing on the adoption of policies that progressively achieve greater equality in social and economic outcomes. |
| HS 498 732 | Development Issues in Mekong Sub-region | Contributes to reducing inequalities within and among countries (Target 10) by examining the specific development challenges and disparities in the Mekong region. |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: The program is fundamentally focused on making human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. The curriculum provides a deep understanding of sustainable development management, public planning, and disaster management, equipping graduates with the skills to create more resilient and sustainable communities.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 712 | Sustainable Development Management | Directly supports Target 11.3 by providing skills for inclusive and sustainable urbanization through participatory planning and sustainable management. |
| HS 498 721 | Public Policy and Planning for Development | Contributes to strengthening national and regional development planning (Target 11.A) by linking urban, peri-urban, and rural development strategies. |
| HS 498 731 | Disaster Management for Sustainable Development | Directly aligns with making cities and human settlements more resilient to disasters, a key component of Target 11.5. |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The program promotes responsible consumption and production patterns by embedding principles of sustainability into development management. Graduates are trained to develop policies and strategies that encourage the efficient use of resources and the adoption of sustainable practices in both the public and private sectors.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 712 | Sustainable Development Management | Directly contributes to the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by teaching principles of sustainability and their application in development planning. |
SDG 13: Climate ActionAlignment Summary: The program contributes to climate action by training experts in disaster management. This knowledge is crucial for strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters, improving education, and integrating climate change measures into national policies.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 731 | Disaster Management for Sustainable Development | Directly supports Target 13.1 by strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters. |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The program is instrumental in building strong institutions. The curriculum equips future leaders with the skills to develop sound public policies, engage in collaborative governance, and analyze complex social systems. This focus on good governance is essential for creating effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 721 | Public Policy and Planning for Development | Directly supports the development of effective, accountable and transparent institutions (Target 16.6) by teaching the principles of sound policy-making. |
| HS 498 733 | Collaborative Governance for Development | Contributes to responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making at all levels (Target 16.7) by focusing on multi-stakeholder governance models. |
| HS 487 734 | System Dynamics and Social Networks | Provides analytical tools to understand and improve the effectiveness of institutions by modeling complex social systems (Target 16.6). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program's interdisciplinary nature and focus on collaborative governance foster partnerships for sustainable development. Through seminars, research, and specialized courses on regional issues, students engage with diverse stakeholders, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for achieving the SDGs.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| HS 498 733 | Collaborative Governance for Development | This course is foundational to SDG 17, focusing on the mechanisms for building effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships (Target 17.17). |
| HS 498 99X | Seminar / Dissertation | Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to solve critical development challenges. |