Khon Kaen University

SDG Alignment for B.Sc. in Geotechnology

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Bachelor of Science Program in Geotechnology (Revised Curriculum 2023) at Khon Kaen University is robustly aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in the areas of resource management, infrastructure, and environmental protection. The curriculum provides a strong foundation for SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through its extensive focus on hydrogeology, groundwater management, and pollution control. It significantly supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by training students in engineering geology, foundation design, and geohazard mitigation, which are essential for resilient urban planning and infrastructure development. Furthermore, the program addresses SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) via courses on economic geology and mineral resources, promoting sustainable extraction practices. The inclusion of geohazard and environmental geology courses also highlights a direct contribution to SDG 13 (Climate Action) by preparing graduates to manage and mitigate climate-related geological risks.

Best Practices

        Bachelor of Science Program in Geotechnology of Khon Kaen University has demonstrated a strong commitment to leveraging its expertise in geosciences for sustainable development, particularly through the "Integrated Geophysics and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Technology Project for Groundwater Resource Management and Drought Mitigation in Northeastern Thailand." This initiative was established to address the risks of water scarcity and land subsidence, which pose significant threats to agriculture and community security in the region.
        Students have intensively integrated experiential learning from core courses throughout the curriculum, including TE 014 301: Structural Geology, which builds understanding of rock formations controlling groundwater sources; TE 014 308: Applied Geophysics, which applies geophysical survey technologies for precise groundwater potential assessment; and TE 014 402: Geo-Technology Project, which synthesizes student achievements in practical geoscience applications.
        This process has yielded tangible outcomes, notably the creation of a set of high-resolution maps of groundwater potential. This map identifies optimal drilling locations for groundwater wells in five vulnerable communities, enabling sustainable access to water for domestic use and agriculture, while reducing exploration costs and risks by up to 50%.
        The strategic impact of this activity is the enhancement of water resource security for the grassroots economy in Northeastern Thailand, as well as the strengthening of community capacity to adapt to climate change and geological hazards. These achievements are significantly aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in three dimensions: SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) by ensuring sustainable water management and access; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by utilizing geophysics and GIS to build efficient data infrastructure; and SDG 13 (Climate Action) by improving adaptive capacity and reducing the impacts of water-related disasters.