Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Master of Science Program in Materials Science and Nanotechnology is strategically positioned at the forefront of sustainable development, aiming to produce graduates who can create innovative materials for a sustainable future. The program's philosophy integrates fundamental scientific principles with cutting-edge technological applications, directly addressing several key Sustainable Development Goals. The curriculum is a powerhouse for SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by fostering research and development in advanced materials, smart materials, and nanotechnology, which are crucial for upgrading industrial capabilities. Through its focus on materials for energy applications, it makes a direct contribution to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). Specialized courses on polymer technology and advanced manufacturing align with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting resource efficiency and sustainable practices. The development of biomaterials directly supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being). As a research-intensive master's program, it is a clear contributor to SDG 4 (Quality Education), and its collaborative research and seminar components are essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Best Practices
The Master of Science Program in Materials Science and Nanotechnology at Khon Kaen University (KKU) has profoundly driven the Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) Economy strategy at the regional level, recognizing the critical challenge of maximizing the value of agricultural waste alongside addressing environmental pollution problems. Therefore, the curriculum developed the research-integrated knowledge activity, "Nanomaterial Innovation from Biomass for Sustainable Wastewater Treatment," systematically integrating advanced learning from the courses SC 567 504 Nanomaterials for Energy and SC 567 899 Thesis. This project was to enable PhD students to apply nanotechnology to synthesize high-performance adsorbent materials from biomass residues, such as rice husk and sugarcane bagasse, for use in treating industrial wastewater from local agro-processing factories.
The participants/beneficiaries included five small local agro-processing factory entrepreneurs and young researchers. The evident result is the creation of a nanoadsorbent prototype capable of removing heavy metal ions from industrial wastewater with an efficiency exceeding 98% in field trials. This led to the widespread sustainable impact of creating a Circular Economy model that transforms waste into high-value materials, reduces the use of chemicals in traditional wastewater treatment processes, and tangibly ensures sustainable environmental quality for the community's natural water sources.
This achievement underscores the strategic alignment with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production by driving innovation in reuse and waste reduction; SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by creating new material technology to enhance the capability of the local industrial sector; and SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation by aiming to protect and restore natural water sources based on scientific principles.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: This curriculum contributes to good health and well-being by advancing the field of biomaterials. The program provides specialized knowledge for the development of materials used in medical devices, tissue engineering, and drug delivery systems, directly supporting research and innovation in healthcare technologies.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC 709 401 | Biomaterials | Directly supports SDG 3 by focusing on the development of materials for biomedical applications, which contributes to advancing healthcare technologies for good health and well-being. |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: As an advanced, research-oriented master's program, this curriculum is a prime example of quality education. It is designed to provide inclusive, high-level training, equipping graduates with the specialized technical and research skills needed for careers at the forefront of science and technology. The program fosters a culture of lifelong learning and knowledge creation through its rigorous research and seminar requirements.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC 709 701 | Research Methodology in Materials Science and Nanotechnology | Directly supports Target 4.4 by equipping students with the advanced technical and research skills necessary for high-level employment and innovation. |
| SC 709 891 | Seminar 1 | Promotes lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by requiring students to engage with, critically analyze, and present cutting-edge research in their field. |
| SC 709 892 | Seminar 2 | Enhances lifelong learning (Target 4.3) and develops superior technical skills (Target 4.4) through sustained engagement with and presentation of advanced research topics. |
| SC 709 897 / 899 | Independent Study / Thesis | Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research and create new knowledge, preparing them for careers in research and development. |
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean EnergyAlignment Summary: The program directly addresses the need for clean and affordable energy by focusing on the development of advanced materials for energy applications. This includes materials for solar cells, energy storage, and other renewable energy technologies, thereby supporting research and innovation to facilitate the global energy transition.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC 709 403 | Materials for Energy | Directly supports research in clean energy (Target 7.A) and promotes energy efficiency (Target 7.3) by focusing on the development of advanced materials for energy generation, conversion, and storage. |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: This program is a powerful engine for industrial innovation. By focusing on advanced materials, nanotechnology, smart materials, and sophisticated characterization and processing techniques, the curriculum directly enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of industries, fostering the development of resilient infrastructure and promoting sustainable industrialization.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC 709 101 | Advanced Materials Characterization | Directly supports Target 9.5 by developing skills for analyzing advanced materials, which is essential for industrial research, quality control, and technological innovation. |
| SC 709 201 | Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing | Contributes to upgrading industrial capabilities and fostering innovation (Target 9.4) by teaching advanced manufacturing and processing techniques for creating high-performance materials. |
| SC 709 402 | Smart Materials | This course on cutting-edge materials directly fosters innovation and enhances scientific research (Target 9.5), which are key drivers for industrial and infrastructural development. |
| SC 709 404 | Nanomaterials | Drives innovation by providing knowledge on nanomaterials, which have wide applications in upgrading technological capabilities across various industries (Target 9.5). |
| SC 709 899 | Thesis | The thesis project often leads to the creation of new knowledge and innovations in materials science that can be directly applied to industry, enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities (Target 9.5). |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The curriculum promotes responsible production patterns by focusing on advanced materials processing and polymer technology. These courses provide the knowledge needed to develop more efficient manufacturing processes, reduce waste, and design materials that are more sustainable and recyclable, contributing to the efficient use of natural resources.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC 709 201 | Advanced Materials Processing and Manufacturing | Aligns with responsible production by focusing on efficient processing techniques, which promotes the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources and reduces waste generation (Target 12.2). |
| SC 709 301 | Polymer Technology | Contributes to responsible consumption and production by providing the knowledge base for developing sustainable polymers and improving plastic recycling processes, thereby helping to reduce waste (Target 12.5). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The program strengthens partnerships for sustainable development through its intrinsic focus on research and knowledge dissemination. The mandatory seminar and thesis courses require students to engage with the global scientific community, presenting their work and building on international research, which is fundamental to the knowledge-sharing and collaboration needed to achieve all SDGs.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| SC 709 891 | Seminar 1 | Promotes partnerships (Target 17.16) by requiring students to engage with and present on the latest global research, fostering a culture of international knowledge-sharing and collaboration. |
| SC 709 892 | Seminar 2 | Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development by having candidates present and discuss cutting-edge research, contributing to the international body of scientific knowledge (Target 17.6). |
| SC 709 899 | Thesis | Represents a significant contribution to global partnerships (Target 17.17) by creating new, publishable knowledge that is shared internationally to help solve critical sustainability challenges in materials science. |