Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Economics Program in International Economics, Innovation and Sustainability

SDG Alignment for Bachelor of Economics Program in International Economics, Innovation and Sustainability

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Economics Program in International Economics, Innovation, and Sustainability is intrinsically designed to address the core tenets of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. [cite_start]The program's philosophy aims to produce graduates who are not only well-versed in international economics but also possess a deep understanding of innovation derived from local wisdom and a strong awareness of sustainable development[cite: 2294]. [cite_start]This holistic approach directly supports the national Thailand 4.0 strategy and the 20-Year National Strategy, which are aligned with the SDGs[cite: 2263, 2267]. The curriculum prepares students to analyze and tackle complex global challenges by integrating economic principles with sustainability, innovation, and public policy. It produces graduates capable of promoting decent work and inclusive economic growth (SDG 8), fostering innovation (SDG 9), ensuring responsible consumption (SDG 12), and contributing to national and international partnerships (SDG 17), thereby creating a generation of economists equipped to build a more sustainable and equitable future.

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1: No Poverty

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Alignment Summary: The program addresses poverty by equipping students with the knowledge to analyze and formulate economic policies that support vulnerable populations. Courses on Sufficiency Economy Philosophy and microfinance provide tools for community-level economic empowerment and financial inclusion, which are crucial for poverty reduction.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 544 006	Sufficiency Economy Philosophy	Aligns with SDG 1 by teaching a development approach that emphasizes moderation and resilience, helping communities build sustainable livelihoods and escape poverty (Target 1.4).
IN 544 008	Micro Finance	Directly contributes to poverty reduction by teaching principles of providing financial services to low-income individuals and communities, enhancing their economic access and resilience (Target 1.4).

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: This program embodies quality education by providing a comprehensive and modern curriculum in economics. It ensures that all students acquire the knowledge and skills needed to promote sustainable development, offering lifelong learning opportunities through its focus on innovation, critical thinking, and problem-solving in a global context.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 544 761	Seminar in International Economics, Innovation and Sustainability	Promotes quality education by allowing students to delve into contemporary issues, fostering critical thinking and research skills necessary for sustainable development (Target 4.7).
IN 544 785	Cooperative Education in Economics	Enhances the quality of education by providing students with practical, real-world work experience, which increases their skills for employment and decent jobs (Target 4.4).

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to the understanding of energy systems and markets. It provides students with the economic principles needed to analyze energy policies, promote efficiency, and understand the dynamics of international energy markets, supporting the transition to more sustainable energy sources.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 544 019	Energy Economics	Directly aligns with SDG 7 by providing a comprehensive understanding of energy markets, policies, and the economic principles behind the transition to affordable and clean energy (Target 7.a).
IN 544 021	International Energy Marketing	Supports SDG 7 by exploring the global energy trade, providing insights into how international markets can facilitate access to cleaner energy technologies and resources (Target 7.a).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: This program is centrally focused on fostering sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth. It equips students with the macroeconomic and microeconomic tools to understand labor markets, promote entrepreneurship, develop sustainable tourism, and formulate policies that lead to decent work and economic productivity.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 541 002	Macroeconomics I	Provides foundational knowledge on national income and economic growth, which is essential for developing policies that promote sustained and inclusive economic growth (Target 8.1).
IN 544 018	Labor Economics	Directly addresses decent work by analyzing labor markets, wage determination, and employment policies, aiming to achieve full and productive employment (Target 8.5).
IN 544 022	Economics for Entrepreneur	Promotes decent work and economic growth by equipping students with the economic skills needed to start and manage businesses, fostering job creation (Target 8.3).
IN 544 024	Hospitality and Tourism Economics	Contributes to sustainable tourism, which creates jobs and promotes local culture and products, fostering inclusive and sustainable economic growth (Target 8.9).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: Innovation is a core pillar of this curriculum. The program fosters industry development and technological upgrading by teaching the principles of industrial economics, innovation economics, and investment analysis. It prepares graduates to support sustainable industrialization and enhance scientific research.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 543 004	Industrial Innovation Economics	Directly supports SDG 9 by focusing on the process of industrial innovation, firm strategy, and public policy, which enhances scientific research and technological capabilities (Target 9.5).
IN 543 006	Innovation and Investment Project Analysis	Promotes investment in innovation and infrastructure by teaching students how to analyze and evaluate projects, supporting sustainable development (Target 9.1).
IN 544 003	New Product Development	Fosters innovation by covering the process from idea generation to commercialization, which is key to building resilient infrastructure and promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization (Target 9.b).
IN 544 004	Industrial Economics	Aligns with SDG 9 by studying the structure, conduct, and performance of industries, providing the knowledge base to support industrial development and diversification (Target 9.2).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum addresses inequality by examining the economic forces that create and perpetuate disparities within and among countries. Courses on international trade, public finance, and rural economics provide students with the tools to analyze and formulate policies that promote more equitable outcomes.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 543 001	International Economics	Contributes to reducing inequality among countries by analyzing international trade theories and policies that can promote fairer trade and economic opportunities (Target 10.a).
IN 544 001	Public Finance Economics	Addresses inequality within a country by examining government revenue and expenditure, fiscal policy, and economic welfare, which are tools for income redistribution (Target 10.4).
IN 544 007	Rural Economics	Focuses on reducing inequalities by studying the economic dynamics of rural areas and applying economic knowledge to improve livelihoods and opportunities in these communities (Target 10.1).

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to creating sustainable communities by focusing on economic systems that support local development. Through courses on community economics, management, and rural development, students learn to apply economic principles to strengthen local economies and improve the quality of life in both urban and rural settlements.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 544 010	Community Management	Supports the development of sustainable communities by teaching efficient management systems for economic and social development at the local level (Target 11.a).
IN 544 011	Community Economy	Directly aligns with SDG 11 by studying the processes of community economies to upgrade the quality of life and ensure sustainable economic existence for local populations (Target 11.3).

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: This program champions responsible consumption and production by integrating principles of sustainability and efficiency into its core. Courses on circular economy, production economics, and natural resource management teach students how to design and manage economic systems that minimize waste, use resources efficiently, and promote sustainable practices.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 542 008	Circular Economy	Directly promotes responsible production and consumption by teaching the principles of a circular economic model, aiming to reduce waste and maximize resource use (Target 12.5).
IN 543 005	Economics of Production and Technology	Contributes to sustainable production patterns by analyzing production functions, efficiency, and the impact of technology, encouraging more efficient use of resources (Target 12.2).
IN 544 020	Economics of Natural Resource and Environment	Supports responsible consumption and production by providing tools to manage natural resources sustainably and address market failures related to environmental externalities (Target 12.2).

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The program addresses climate action by providing an economic perspective on environmental challenges. The course on natural resources and environment equips students with the knowledge to analyze the economic impacts of climate change and evaluate policies aimed at mitigation and adaptation.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 544 020	Economics of Natural Resource and Environment	Integrates climate change into economic analysis by addressing environmental problems and the sustainable management of resources, which is crucial for climate action (Target 13.2).

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum supports the development of effective and accountable institutions by teaching public policy, public finance, and international business law. These courses provide the foundational knowledge for building strong governance structures, ensuring sound economic management, and promoting the rule of law.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 542 007	Sustainable Economics and Public Policy	Contributes to building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions by teaching the concepts and techniques for formulating public policies that promote sustainable development (Target 16.6).
IN 544 001	Public Finance Economics	Supports strong institutions by analyzing the role of government, public expenditure, and fiscal policy, which are essential for effective and transparent governance (Target 16.6).
IN 544 017	International Business Law	Promotes peace and justice by teaching the rule of law at the international level, which is fundamental for stable and just societies (Target 16.3).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program strengthens the means of implementation and revitalizes the global partnership for sustainable development through its focus on international economics. Courses on international trade, finance, and economic cooperation provide students with a deep understanding of the global systems and partnerships needed to achieve the SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
IN 543 001	International Economics	Enhances the global partnership by providing a deep understanding of international trade theories and policies, which are crucial for a universal, rules-based, and equitable multilateral trading system (Target 17.10).
IN 544 014	International Economic Cooperation	Directly addresses SDG 17 by studying the types, characteristics, and importance of international economic cooperation and trade agreements for achieving sustainable development (Target 17.16).
IN 544 015	International Trade and Monetary Policy	Supports systemic policy coherence for sustainable development by analyzing the interplay of international trade, investment, and finance, crucial for global partnerships (Target 17.14).