Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Bachelor of Science in Sports Science, Innovation and Health is profoundly and holistically aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals by cultivating professionals who are at the forefront of promoting human health, well-being, and active lifestyles. The curriculum's philosophy, emphasizing scientific principles, technological innovation, and a commitment to health for all, makes it a powerful engine for achieving the SDGs. The program is the very embodiment of SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), with its entire focus on exercise, nutrition, injury prevention, and health promotion. It directly champions SDG 4 (Quality Education) by providing a high-quality scientific education and preparing future health educators. Furthermore, the curriculum addresses SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) by focusing on exercise for special populations, and supports SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by preparing graduates for the expanding sports and wellness industries. Through its focus on innovation and technology, it contributes to SDG 9, and its collaborative projects embody the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Best Practices
The Bachelor of Science Program in Sports Science, Innovation, and Health, Khon Kaen University, recognizes the crucial role of sports science in elevating the quality of life and well-being of the population based on the well-being economy concept, specifically utilizing physical activity and innovation to reduce public healthcare costs and create new economic opportunities.
The university has thus driven sustainable development through the integration of knowledge from the 133-credit curriculum, which focuses on creating experts capable of holistic health creation and management. This includes subjects such as Healthy Foods (IN 432 601), Occupational Health and Safety (IN 432 602), Introduction to Pharmacology (IN 432 603), and Health Facility Management (IN 433 604). A key mechanism is the training of analytical and evaluation skills through the elective course series Sports Science in Professional Sports, including Performance Analysis in Professional Athletes (IN 433 504), to enable students to create effective health and sports service innovation.
The empirical result is the production of graduates with expertise in consulting and designing personalized health programs and the capacity to be innovative health entrepreneurs.
The sustainable impact is the sustainable elevation of the quality of life of the regional population, leading to better health, a reduction in the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), and the creation of economic value from sports health services and product manufacturing. This operation thus strategically aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), in promoting optimal health and well-being for all; SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), in creating decent work in the innovative sports and health industry; and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), in promoting research and innovation in health and sports to elevate social infrastructure.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is the essence of SDG 3. Its entire curriculum is designed to produce professionals who can ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all ages through the application of sports and exercise science. Every course, from physiology and nutrition to first aid and health promotion, is focused on preventing disease, improving health outcomes, and enhancing quality of life.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| IN432101 | Anatomy and Physiology for Sports | Provides the fundamental understanding of the human body necessary to promote health and prevent non-communicable diseases through physical activity (Target 3.4). |
| IN432204 | First Aid and Sports Injury | Directly contributes to good health by equipping students with the skills to prevent and manage injuries, which is essential for safe participation in physical activity. |
| IN432201 | Sports Nutrition | Aligns with promoting health and well-being by focusing on the role of nutrition in supporting physical activity and preventing diet-related diseases (Target 3.4). |
| IN432304 | Exercise for Health Promotion | Is a cornerstone of SDG 3, as it teaches how to design exercise programs to prevent and manage non-communicable diseases and promote lifelong health. |
| IN432305 | Health and Wellness Management | Supports good health by providing a holistic approach to managing well-being, including physical, mental, and social health (Target 3.4). |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: The program provides a high-quality, specialized scientific education that equips students with the knowledge and skills for sustainable development, particularly in promoting health and well-being. It fosters critical thinking, research skills, and prepares graduates to be educators in the fields of fitness, health, and sports.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| IN434701 | Research in Sports Science | Enhances education for sustainable development by equipping students with the skills to critically appraise and conduct scientific research, fostering lifelong learning and evidence-based practice (Target 4.7). |
| IN434702 | Cooperative Education | Provides inclusive and equitable quality education through extensive, supervised practical work experience, ensuring students acquire the technical and vocational skills for employment (Target 4.4). |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: The program is a direct driver of decent work and economic growth by preparing graduates for careers in the rapidly expanding sports, health, and wellness industries. The curriculum's focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and management is designed to create jobs and enhance the economic vitality of this sector.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| IN432401 | Sports Industry and Entrepreneurship | Directly encourages entrepreneurship and the creation of micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises in the sports and wellness sector, which are vital for job creation (Target 8.3). |
| IN433405 | Sports Facility Management | Contributes to sustainable tourism and economic growth by training professionals to manage sports facilities, which are key assets for communities and a source of employment (Target 8.9). |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: This program fosters innovation in the health and sports industries by focusing on the application of new technologies. It equips students with the skills to use and develop innovative tools for performance analysis, health monitoring, and facility management, thereby upgrading the technological capabilities of the sector.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| IN432402 | Sports Innovation and Technology | Enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of the sports industry by focusing on the application of new technologies for training and performance (Target 9.5). |
| IN433405 | Sports Facility Management | Supports the development of quality and resilient infrastructure by focusing on the professional management of the physical venues for sports and recreation (Target 9.1). |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The program actively works to reduce health inequalities by training professionals to design and implement exercise programs for diverse and vulnerable populations. This ensures that the health benefits of physical activity are accessible to all people, regardless of age, ability, or health status.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| IN433307 | Exercise for Special Populations | Directly aims to reduce inequality by empowering and promoting the social and physical inclusion of all, including persons with disabilities, the elderly, and those with chronic diseases (Target 10.2). |
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and CommunitiesAlignment Summary: This program is essential for making communities more sustainable and healthy. By training professionals in sports facility management and recreation, it contributes to the development and maintenance of safe, inclusive, and accessible green and public spaces for sports and recreation, which are vital for community well-being.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| IN433405 | Sports Facility Management | Directly supports the goal of providing universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, particularly sports facilities (Target 11.7). |
| IN433406 | Recreation and Tourism | Contributes to making communities more sustainable by promoting active lifestyles and the sustainable use of public spaces for recreation and tourism (Target 11.7). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships through its cooperative education model, which creates a vital bridge between the university and the sports, health, and wellness industries. This collaboration is essential for ensuring that education is relevant and that graduates are prepared to contribute to a healthy and active society.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| IN434702 | Cooperative Education | Directly encourages and promotes effective public-private and civil society partnerships by immersing students in real-world professional environments, building collaborative experience (Target 17.17). |