Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Precision Medical Microbiology is fundamentally dedicated to advancing human health through the highly specialized study of infectious agents. The program's core mission is to produce high-level researchers and innovators who can create new knowledge and internationally recognized solutions for diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases. This makes the curriculum a powerhouse for achieving SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as virtually every course is focused on understanding microbial pathogenesis, antimicrobial resistance, and developing advanced diagnostics. By training experts in cutting-edge fields like molecular biology, immunology, and metagenomics, the curriculum is a key driver for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) within the biomedical and biotechnology sectors. As an advanced research degree, it is a flagship for SDG 4 (Quality Education). Through its international nature and requirement for globally recognized research, the program fosters the knowledge-sharing and collaboration essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Best Practices
The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Precision Medical Microbiology (International Program) at Khon Kaen University is committed to addressing global public health crises, with a particular emphasis on the challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Because of that, the university actively supports students in leveraging expertise from core courses and the MD 817 999 Thesis to conduct advanced research in the development of genomic surveillance systems for drug-resistant pathogens. This research focuses on the analysis and mapping of emerging resistant strains found in hospitals and communities across Northeastern Thailand. The positive outcomes follow the identification and mapping of novel AMR strains in the region, leading to the creation of a microbiological database and rapid diagnostic tools that are readily applicable in clinical settings.
This initiative has resulted in generating a broad and sustainable impact by strengthening public health security at both national and regional levels, reducing the risk of life-threatening AMR transmission, and enhancing preparedness for future health emergencies. The work directly aligns with SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, in combating infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, through investment in medical biotechnology research and development; and SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals, by collaborating with international research institutes to exchange data and elevate disease surveillance capacity.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is centrally focused on ensuring healthy lives by combating infectious diseases. The curriculum provides an in-depth, research-intensive education on the mechanisms of microbial diseases, antimicrobial resistance, and advanced diagnostics. It directly contributes to the research and development of new treatments and prevention strategies, aligning with the core mission of ending epidemics of communicable diseases.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 827 803 | Advanced Immunology | Contributes to fighting communicable diseases by deepening the understanding of the immune system's response to infection, which is essential for developing vaccines and immunotherapies (Target 3.3). |
| MD 827 806 | Advanced microbial pathogenesis | Directly supports research for health (Target 3.B) by focusing on the molecular mechanisms by which microbes cause disease, identifying new targets for therapeutic intervention. |
| MD 827 807 | Antimicrobial agents and resistance | Directly addresses a major global health threat by training experts to research and combat antimicrobial resistance, a key component of strengthening capacity for global health risks (Target 3.D). |
| MD 827 808 | Advanced Mycology | Focuses on research to combat major infectious diseases caused by fungi, directly contributing to Target 3.3. |
| MD 827 809 | Advanced Medical Virology | Directly addresses the need to end epidemics of communicable diseases by providing advanced knowledge on viral pathogens (Target 3.3). |
| MD 827 810 | Microbiome and Metagenomics | Supports good health by exploring the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, opening new avenues for prevention and treatment (Target 3.4). |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum represents the highest level of quality education. It is designed to cultivate expert researchers and academics by providing advanced training in scientific research, ethics, and good clinical practice, fostering lifelong learning and contributing to the global knowledge economy in the biomedical sciences.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 827 805 | Research process and good clinical practice | Provides essential doctoral-level skills in ethical and rigorous research design, which is a cornerstone of quality tertiary education (Target 4.3 and 4.4). |
| MD 829 998/999 | 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 cutting-edge fields like molecular biology, microbial genetics, and metagenomics, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of sectors focused on diagnostics, drug development, and healthcare.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 827 801 | Advanced Molecular Biology | Enhances scientific research (Target 9.5) by providing expertise in the core techniques that drive innovation in the biotechnology industry. |
| MD 827 810 | Microbiome and Metagenomics | Drives innovation by teaching advanced techniques for analyzing complex microbial communities, a key area for developing new diagnostic and therapeutic products (Target 9.5). |
| MD 827 811 | Advanced microbial genetics and biotechnology | Supports technological upgrading and innovation by training experts in genetic engineering and biotechnology with vast potential for developing new industrial applications (Target 9.4, 9.5). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The international nature of this program and its focus on globally relevant health issues inherently foster partnerships. The curriculum requires engagement with the international scientific community through seminars and the dissemination of research, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations vital for achieving global health goals.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 829 991/992 | Seminar in Precision Medical Microbiology I/II | Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with, analyze, and present on current international research, fostering a culture of global knowledge-sharing. |
| MD 829 998/999 | Dissertation | The dissertation process contributes significantly to partnerships (Target 17.16) as it requires the creation of new scientific knowledge that must be disseminated and validated through international peer-reviewed publications, strengthening global collaboration in science. |