Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Ph.D. in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

SDG Alignment for Ph.D. Program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics is at the heart of global health surveillance and evidence-based medicine, making it a critical contributor to the Sustainable Development Goals. The program's core and overwhelming focus is on SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as it trains elite researchers to investigate disease patterns, identify risk factors, and evaluate health interventions. By producing experts in advanced statistical modeling and research design, the curriculum directly supports the creation of innovations for health and strengthens the scientific infrastructure, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). As a premier doctoral program, it is a clear example of SDG 4 (Quality Education), developing the high-level skills necessary for a knowledge-based society. The international scope of the curriculum and its emphasis on globally relevant research and publication foster the cross-border collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), and its specialized course on multilevel analysis provides tools to address SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities) in health.

Best Practices

The Doctor of Philosophy Program in Epidemiology and Biostatistics International Program was designed under a philosophy that focuses on being a key mechanism for tackling global health challenges and driving Khon Kaen University toward leadership in innovation for sustainability, especially in the post-COVID-19 crisis era, which demands epidemiology experts who can apply advanced technology to reduce economic and social impact.
The core activity of the curriculum is the creation of the Dissertation (PH 510 996 / PH 510 998), which integrates knowledge and skills from specialized courses such as Advanced Cancer Epidemiology (PH 513 902) and Health Database Management (PH 516 913). The process emphasizes research using Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automation to analyze and synthesize Big Data to profoundly and promptly solve health problems.
The empirical results of this process are the production of doctoral graduates who create knowledge and innovation with the potential for publication in at least one international SCOPUS/ISI journal, which is an international standard.
This generated a sustainable impact in developing research personnel with academic leadership, who can guide society and elevate the nation's competitiveness by creating high-value innovation (economic and social) for health. This operation thus strategically aligns with SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), as the research output is a key mechanism for disease management and control; SDG 4 (Quality Education), in the dimension of producing graduates at the highest level with international research standards and advanced technology skills; and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), from the focus on integrating AI and Big Data to create value innovation and elevate the modernization of health research infrastructure.

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: This program is fundamentally dedicated to improving global health. The curriculum provides an in-depth, research-intensive education on the methodologies for studying and controlling both infectious and non-communicable diseases. It directly contributes to combating epidemics, strengthening health systems, and promoting well-being through rigorous, evidence-based research and practice.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EB 531 702	Advanced Epidemiology	This is the core discipline for understanding and controlling diseases. It directly supports efforts to end epidemics and strengthen the capacity for managing global health risks (Target 3.3, 3.D).
EB 532 712	Epidemiological Surveillance and Investigation	Directly aligns with strengthening national and global capacity for early warning and management of health risks (Target 3.D) by teaching methods for monitoring and responding to disease outbreaks.
EB 532 721	Infectious Disease Epidemiology	Directly addresses Target 3.3 by focusing on the methods to study and control the spread of communicable diseases, which is vital for ending epidemics.
EB 532 722	Non-communicable Disease Epidemiology	Directly supports Target 3.4 by training experts to research the causes and prevention of major non-communicable diseases like cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
EB 532 723	Clinical Epidemiology	Applies epidemiological principles to clinical practice, improving the evidence base for diagnosis and treatment, thus contributing to more effective healthcare and universal health coverage (Target 3.8).
EB 531 998 / 999	Dissertation	Generates new knowledge for solving public health challenges, directly contributing to research and development for health and well-being (Target 3.B).

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a doctoral program, this curriculum represents the highest level of quality education, designed to cultivate expert researchers and academics. It provides an inclusive and equitable advanced learning environment that equips graduates with specialized scientific skills and fosters the lifelong learning necessary to generate new knowledge for sustainable development.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EB 531 701	Advanced Research Methodology and Biostatistics	Provides foundational doctoral-level skills in research design and data analysis, which is a cornerstone of quality tertiary education and prepares graduates for high-level careers in research (Target 4.3 and 4.4).
EB 531 998 / 999	Dissertation	Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical and professional skills for employment and innovation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: The program drives innovation in the health, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology sectors. By training experts in advanced biostatistics and data analysis, it enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities required for clinical trials, drug development, and health information systems.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EB 532 711	Health Data Analysis using Statistical Packages	Supports innovation by building practical skills in using modern software for health data analysis, which enhances research capacity and the technological infrastructure of the health industry (Target 9.5).
EB 531 998 / 999	Dissertation	Fosters innovation by generating new knowledge and analytical methods that can be applied to health and pharmaceutical industries, thereby enhancing scientific research (Target 9.5).

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

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Alignment Summary: The program addresses health inequalities by equipping researchers with sophisticated analytical tools to understand their root causes. The course on multilevel analysis provides specific methods to investigate how social, economic, and environmental contexts contribute to disparities in health outcomes, enabling the development of targeted, equitable policies.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EB 532 713	Multilevel Analysis	Directly aligns with Target 10.4 by providing advanced statistical techniques to analyze how individual and community-level factors influence health, enabling research that addresses health inequalities and their social determinants.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: This international program inherently builds partnerships for sustainable development. Its focus on globally relevant health challenges and the requirement for research dissemination in international forums promote the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations necessary to achieve global health goals.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
EB 531 703	Seminar in Epidemiology and Biostatistics 1	Promotes the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.6) by requiring students to engage with, critique, and present on the latest international research, fostering a culture of global knowledge-sharing.
EB 531 998 / 999	Dissertation	Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.16) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical public health challenges.