Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Higher Graduate Diploma Program in Clinical Medical Sciences in Anatomical Pathology at Khon Kaen University is deeply rooted in the principles of sustainable development, with a primary and profound impact on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). By training expert pathologists, the program directly enhances the capacity of the healthcare system to accurately diagnose diseases, including prevalent non-communicable diseases and cancers, which is fundamental for improving public health and patient outcomes as outlined in the 13th National Economic and Social Development Plan.
As an advanced academic program, it is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education), providing specialized, lifelong learning skills to medical professionals. The curriculum's strong emphasis on integrating cutting-edge technologies—such as molecular pathology, immunopathology, and digital pathology—positions its graduates as key contributors to SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), fostering innovation and resilience in medical diagnostics.
Furthermore, the program addresses crucial social dimensions of sustainability. With dedicated coursework on gynecological, breast, and female reproductive system pathology, it makes a significant contribution to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) by advancing women's health. The focus on medical ethics, professionalism, and the legal frameworks of healthcare in courses like "Medical Professionalism" directly supports the development of accountable and just healthcare systems, aligning with SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This program is fundamentally dedicated to advancing human health. It produces highly skilled pathologists who are critical for the accurate diagnosis of diseases, particularly non-communicable diseases like cancer, which is a key target of SDG 3. The curriculum covers a comprehensive range of topics from basic disease mechanisms to advanced molecular diagnostics, directly contributing to improving health outcomes, patient safety, and the overall capacity of the healthcare system.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 507 102 | Research Methodology in Medicine | Aligns with Target 3.D by strengthening the capacity for early warning, risk reduction, and management of national and global health risks through rigorous medical research training. |
| MD 567 101 | Correlation of Basic Medical Sciences and Clinical Medical Sciences | This course provides the foundational knowledge of diseases (e.g., immunology, pathophysiology) essential for developing effective health diagnostics and treatments. |
| MD 937 101 | Medical Professionalism | Contributes to well-being by emphasizing patient-centered communication and palliative care, improving the quality of life for patients with serious illnesses. |
| MD 657 101 | Pathology I | Provides core knowledge of diseases and diagnostic principles, forming the basis for accurate medical diagnoses and effective treatment plans that improve health outcomes. |
| MD 657 102 | Pathology II | Focuses on specialized diagnostics like pathological autopsies and gynecologic cytopathology, which are crucial for understanding diseases and for cancer screening programs that promote public health. |
| MD 657 201 | Pathology III | Enhances diagnostic capabilities for a wide range of diseases and emphasizes quality assurance in laboratories, directly contributing to reliable healthcare services. |
| MD 657 202 | Pathology IV | Introduces diagnostic molecular pathology, a key component of precision medicine that enables targeted therapies and significantly improves treatment effectiveness for diseases like cancer. |
| MD 657 203 to 211 | All Elective Courses | These specialized courses provide in-depth knowledge for diagnosing diseases in specific organ systems, contributing comprehensively to the "Research on health and well-being" metric (Metric 3.1). |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As a postgraduate program, this curriculum embodies the principles of quality education by providing inclusive and equitable advanced training. It equips medical graduates with specialized technical and research skills for high-level employment in pathology, fostering lifelong learning and the continuous advancement of medical knowledge.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 507 102 | Research Methodology in Medicine | Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with advanced technical and research skills highly relevant for high-level employment in the medical and scientific sectors. |
| 411 725 | Technical English for Medical Residents | Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by providing graduates with the communication skills needed to engage with the global medical community and stay abreast of new developments. |
| All Core & Elective Pathology Courses | Various | The entire program structure provides an advanced, specialized education that increases the number of adults with relevant technical and professional skills for a specialized field of medicine (Target 4.4). |
SDG 5: Gender EqualityAlignment Summary: The curriculum makes a direct contribution to gender equality by focusing on health issues that disproportionately or exclusively affect women. By training specialists in the pathology of the female reproductive system and breast diseases, the program helps to ensure that women receive accurate diagnoses and effective care, a critical component of health equity.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 657 102 | Pathology II | This course includes gynecologic cytopathology, a critical tool for screening and diagnosing cervical cancer, directly supporting women's health and well-being. |
| MD 657 209 | Pathology of Female Reproductive System | Directly addresses the diagnosis and understanding of diseases affecting women, contributing to better health outcomes and aligning with the "Research on gender equality" metric (Metric 5.1). |
| MD 657 210 | Pathology of Breast | Focuses on the diagnosis of breast diseases, including breast cancer, which is a leading health issue for women globally. This specialization is crucial for improving women's health. |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: The program fosters medical innovation and strengthens healthcare infrastructure. It trains professionals in the use of advanced diagnostic technologies, including molecular pathology, immunohistochemistry, and digital pathology. This focus on technological advancement and quality assurance in laboratories directly contributes to building resilient and state-of-the-art healthcare infrastructure.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 657 201 | Pathology III | Supports Target 9.5 by enhancing scientific research and upgrading technological capabilities through training in immunohistochemical staining and quality assurance for pathological laboratories. |
| MD 657 202 | Pathology IV | Promotes innovation (Target 9.5) by providing knowledge in diagnostic molecular pathology, a technology that is transforming personalized medicine and the healthcare industry. |
| All Elective Courses | Various | All specialized electives include training in advanced diagnostic techniques, including molecular pathology, which upgrades the technological capabilities of the healthcare sector. |
SDG 10: Reduced InequalitiesAlignment Summary: The program contributes to reducing health inequalities by emphasizing the importance of ethical and equitable patient care. It instills principles that ensure all individuals receive high-quality diagnostic services, regardless of their background, which is a foundational step toward equal access to healthcare.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 937 101 | Medical Professionalism | Directly aligns by teaching principles of bioethics and decision-making in ethical and juristic cases, including "equality" (ความเสมอภาค), which supports the UN Target 10.3 of ensuring equal opportunity and reducing inequalities of outcome. |
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong InstitutionsAlignment Summary: The program helps build strong and accountable healthcare institutions by instilling a deep understanding of medical ethics, professionalism, and the legal aspects of medical practice. Graduates are equipped to uphold high standards of integrity and governance within their professional roles, contributing to a more just and effective healthcare system.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| MD 507 101 | General Knowledge of Civil Service | Aligns with Target 16.6 by developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions through education on public administration principles and laws relevant to medical practice. |
| MD 937 101 | Medical Professionalism | Contributes to strong institutions by fostering a culture of ethics, accountability, and patient safety, which are core components of good governance in healthcare. |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program fosters partnerships for sustainable development by equipping graduates with the skills necessary for global scientific collaboration. Training in technical English enables professionals to access and contribute to the international body of medical knowledge, promoting the knowledge-sharing essential for addressing global health challenges.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| 411 725 | Technical English for Medical Residents | Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by improving the capacity of medical professionals to communicate and collaborate internationally, facilitating the sharing of scientific knowledge and technology. |