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Khon Kaen University

Master of Science Program in International Technology and Innovation Management

SDG Alignment for Master of Science in International Technology and Innovation Management

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Science Program in International Technology and Innovation Management at Khon Kaen University is strategically designed to cultivate "innovators" capable of driving sustainable change in the digital era. The program's philosophy—to produce tech entrepreneurs with world-class abilities in digital innovation, intellectual property management, and socially responsible business planning—is powerfully aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum is a cornerstone for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), fostering the creation of new technologies through courses on Technology Entrepreneurship, Strategic Technology and Innovation Management, and Intellectual Property Management. This directly fuels SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by encouraging the creation of high-value jobs and promoting policies that support entrepreneurship. Furthermore, the program's emphasis on Business Ethics and Social Responsibility and Management for Sustainability directly connects to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by instilling principles of responsible business conduct. As a graduate-level program, it is an archetype of SDG 4 (Quality Education), and its focus on thesis and project work, which requires collaboration with various sectors, naturally promotes the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Best Practices

        The Graduate School of Khon Kaen University (KKU) has been designed to respond to the rapidly changing business world, focusing on producing Commercial Innovators who possess the skills to create innovations that can be scaled up from research into high-value products or services that are internationally recognized.
        The core of the curriculum is the intensive integration of knowledge from diverse disciplines, including Science, Technology, Innovation, Liberal Arts, and Business Administration, to produce New-Generation Entrepreneurs and quality personnel for the modern industrial sector.
        Students are equipped with specialized knowledge and skills through the selection of focus clusters to build specialized expertise, serving as a 'secret weapon' for driving innovation in the industrial sector. Interesting elective clusters include Marketing Channel Innovation, Multimedia and Information Technology Innovation, Food and Agricultural Innovation, Environmental Sustainability and Innovation, and Material Science Innovation. Furthermore, the curriculum has academic collaborations with leading institutions, such as the University of Southern Denmark in the Kingdom of Denmark, allowing students the opportunity to choose the Study Abroad Track to study and conduct research in the final semester, creating a truly global experience.
        This Practical Learning results in the evident outcome of producing Change Leaders who possess the ability to manage technology and innovation, enabling them to pursue diverse and highly sought-after careers, such as Private Business Owners, Innovation Consultants, or Product Development Researchers.
        This success will lead to the sustainable impact of elevating the country's competitiveness through the development of Commercial Innovation truly driven by multidisciplinary knowledge.

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 4 Icon SDG 4: Quality Education

Alignment Summary: This master's program provides high-quality, specialized education that equips students with advanced research, technical, and vocational skills for innovation and entrepreneurship. It promotes lifelong learning through a research-intensive curriculum and prepares graduates for high-level employment in the technology sector.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
IC 715 891Research MethodologyDirectly supports quality education by equipping students with advanced research skills that are essential for innovation and relevant for high-level employment (Target 4.4).
IC 715 994ThesisRepresents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity, where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical and vocational skills for employment and entrepreneurship (Target 4.3 & 4.4).

SDG 8 Icon SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alignment Summary: The curriculum is designed to foster entrepreneurship and innovation, which are critical drivers of job creation and sustainable economic growth. By training students to launch and manage technology-based ventures, the program directly contributes to economic diversification and the creation of decent jobs.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
IC 715 702Technology EntrepreneurshipPromotes entrepreneurship, creativity, and innovation by teaching students how to create and manage new technology-based businesses, which directly supports development-oriented policies and job creation (Target 8.3).
IC 715 706Business Plan for Technology StartupsSupports the creation of decent jobs by providing students with the skills to develop viable business plans for new ventures, contributing to economic diversification (Target 8.2).

SDG 9 Icon SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Alignment Summary: The entire program is focused on fostering innovation and building the technological capabilities of industries. It provides students with the skills to manage innovation strategically, protect intellectual property, and develop new technologies, thereby promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization and enhancing scientific research.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
IC 715 701Innovation and Strategic Technology ManagementDirectly enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of industrial sectors by teaching strategic management of innovation (Target 9.5).
IC 715 704Intellectual Property ManagementSupports innovation by providing crucial knowledge on how to protect and commercialize new technologies, which is essential for a thriving industrial sector (Target 9.B).
IC 715 703Digital Innovation and TransformationFosters innovation by educating on how to leverage digital technologies to transform industries, promoting the adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies (Target 9.4).

SDG 12 Icon SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Alignment Summary: The program instills principles of responsible production by integrating ethics and sustainability into its core curriculum. Students learn to manage businesses in a way that is socially and environmentally responsible, preparing them to lead companies toward more sustainable practices.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
IC 715 707Business Ethics and Social ResponsibilityEncourages companies to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle by providing a strong ethical foundation (Target 12.6).
IC 715 801Management for SustainabilityDirectly educates on the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources, a core principle of responsible production (Target 12.2).

SDG 17 Icon SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

Alignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its research-intensive focus and international scope. Thesis and project work often require collaboration with industry, government, and international partners, promoting the multi-stakeholder partnerships needed to advance technology and sustainable development.

Course CodeCourse TitleAlignment Rationale
IC 715 892Seminar in Technology and Innovation ManagementPromotes knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder dialogue on cutting-edge technology, enhancing the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.16).
IC 715 994ThesisRepresents a significant contribution to global partnerships by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges in technology and innovation (Target 17.17).