Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Parasitology and One Health is fundamentally designed to produce researchers and innovators who can create new knowledge and solutions at the intersection of human, animal, and environmental health. The program's core philosophy is to conduct interdisciplinary, internationally recognized research, making it a powerful contributor to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by focusing on the control of parasitic and zoonotic diseases. The 'One Health' approach is central to the curriculum, inherently aligning it with SDG 15 (Life on Land) and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by considering the role of ecosystems in disease transmission. By training experts in advanced molecular diagnostics and biotechnology, the program is a key driver for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). As an international, doctoral-level program, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education) and embodies the collaborative spirit essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is fundamentally dedicated to improving global health by combating parasitic and zoonotic diseases. The curriculum provides an in-depth, research-intensive education on the molecular biology of parasites, medical entomology, and diagnostics. It directly contributes to ending epidemics of communicable diseases through the development of new treatments, vaccines, and control strategies under the 'One Health' framework.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD747704 | Molecular Biology of Parasites | Directly supports research and development of new medicines and vaccines (Target 3.B) by focusing on the fundamental biology of parasites. |
| MD747705 | Medical Entomology | Contributes to combating communicable diseases (Target 3.3) by focusing on the control of insect vectors that transmit diseases like malaria and dengue. |
| MD747706 | Advanced Diagnostic Parasitology | Supports good health by training experts in the development and application of advanced diagnostic tools for the rapid and accurate detection of parasitic diseases (Target 3.B). |
| MD747707 | Helminthology | Directly addresses efforts to end epidemics of communicable diseases (Target 3.3) by studying parasitic worms, which are a major cause of morbidity in tropical regions. |
| MD747708 | Medical Protozoology | Focuses on research to combat major parasitic diseases like malaria, directly contributing to Target 3.3. |
| MD747709 | One Health Principles | Strengthens the capacity for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks by taking an integrated approach to human, animal, and environmental health (Target 3.D). |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As an international doctoral program, this curriculum is the epitome of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert researchers and academics by providing advanced training in scientific research, ethics, and communication, fostering a culture of lifelong learning and contributing to the global knowledge economy in the biomedical sciences.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD747710 | Research Methodology and Biostatistics in Parasitology and One Health | Provides the core research skills that define high-quality doctoral education, equipping students for high-level employment and lifelong learning in scientific research (Target 4.3 and 4.4). |
| MD74999X | Dissertation | Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original, in-depth research, acquiring superior skills for employment and innovation (Target 4.4). |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: The program is a catalyst for innovation in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. By providing advanced training in molecular biology and diagnostics, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of sectors focused on developing novel solutions for infectious diseases.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD747704 | Molecular Biology of Parasites | Enhances scientific research (Target 9.5) by providing expertise in the core techniques that drive innovation in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries for anti-parasitic drugs and vaccines. |
| MD747706 | Advanced Diagnostic Parasitology | Directly supports industrial innovation by training experts in the development and application of advanced diagnostic technologies (Target 9.5). |
SDG 14: Life Below WaterAlignment Summary: The program supports the conservation of aquatic ecosystems by studying the role of aquatic animals as intermediate hosts for parasites. This knowledge is essential for understanding disease transmission cycles and developing control strategies that protect both human health and aquatic biodiversity.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD747703 | Medical Malacology | Contributes to the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems (Target 14.2) by studying the role of snails in parasitic disease cycles, which informs control strategies that protect aquatic environments. |
SDG 15: Life On LandAlignment Summary: The program is at the core of efforts to protect and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems through the 'One Health' approach. By understanding the links between environmental health, animal health, and human diseases, graduates can contribute to policies that protect biodiversity and halt land degradation.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD747709 | One Health Principles | Provides the foundational knowledge for the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems (Target 15.1) by integrating animal, human, and environmental health. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The international nature of this program and its focus on the 'One Health' approach inherently foster partnerships. The curriculum requires engagement with the international scientific community and multiple sectors (human health, animal health, environment), promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations vital for achieving global health goals.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD747709 | One Health Principles | This course is foundational to SDG 17, as the One Health approach requires multi-sectoral collaboration to achieve sustainable development outcomes (Target 17.17). |
| MD747891 | Seminar in Parasitology and One Health I | 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. |
| MD74999X | Dissertation | Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to solve critical global health challenges. |