Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:
The Bachelor of Science Program in Production System Technology and Industrial Management (Revised Curriculum 2022) demonstrates a profound alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those focused on industrial innovation, economic efficiency, and responsible consumption. By integrating core competencies in Internet of Things (IoT), industrial automation, and lean manufacturing, the curriculum strongly supports SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure). The program's explicit focus on productivity improvement, work safety, and economic analysis directly contributes to SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) and SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) via occupational health standards. Furthermore, the inclusion of lean six-sigma, waste management, and supply chain optimization underscores a commitment to SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). The curriculum also features specific technological applications for renewable energy (Bio-oil), addressing SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and emphasizes pollution control relevant to SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). Through mandatory cooperative education and work-integrated learning, the program fosters strong institutional and industrial partnerships, embodying the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).
Best Practices
The Bachelor of Science Program in Production System Technology and Industrial Management at Khon Kaen University reinforces the university's leadership in driving grassroots economic development toward innovative industry and environmental sustainability. This commitment is exemplified by the "Digital Technology Integration Project for Enhancing Production Efficiency and Zero Waste Management in SMEs in Northeastern Thailand." The initiative was established to address inefficiencies in production and hazardous waste management in local industries.
Students have comprehensively integrated knowledge and skills from core courses, such as TE019 403: Integrated Production Process Technology, which focuses on redesigning production flows to minimise waste, and TE019 401: Industrial Hazardous Waste Management, which emphasises planning for waste reduction and disposal at the source in accordance with sustainable production principles. These competencies are then applied in the capstone course, TE019 499: Production System Technology Project, with a focus on implementing lean manufacturing systems and field applications of IoT technology.
This process has led to tangible outcomes, including improvements in production systems at five SME factories. In the pilot phase, the project achieved a 30% reduction in hazardous waste and a 15% decrease in energy consumption during production. Additionally, sustainable production management knowledge and skills were transferred to 50 factory personnel.
The most significant and lasting impact is the enhancement of regional industrial competitiveness through cleaner and more efficient production, which reduces environmental burdens and supports balanced economic growth. These achievements are powerfully aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in three dimensions: SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by upgrading industry through investment in innovation and green technology; SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by establishing sustainable consumption and production patterns through waste management and efficient resource use; and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth) by increasing economic productivity through efficient production and safe working conditions.
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-beingAlignment Summary: The curriculum prioritizes the health, safety, and well-being of the industrial workforce. It integrates courses that specifically address occupational health hazards, safety technology, and human-centered design principles to reduce workplace injuries and improve the physical environment for workers.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| TE 013 401 | Occupational Safety and Health Technology | Directly addresses the prevention of accidents and health hazards in industrial settings, supporting safe working environments (Target 3.9 and 8.8). |
| TE 013 202 | Human-Centered Systems Design | Focuses on ergonomics and human factors engineering to design systems that prevent physical strain and injury, promoting long-term physical well-being. |
| TE 023 608 | Industrial Hygiene | Focuses on recognizing and controlling environmental factors in the workplace that may cause sickness or impaired health among workers (Target 3.9). |
| TE 019 503 | Industrial Ergonomics | Teaches the design of workstations and tools to enhance human performance while ensuring safety and health, reducing musculoskeletal disorders. |
SDG 4: Quality EducationAlignment Summary: This program provides high-quality technical and vocational education, equipping students with relevant skills for employment in the industrial sector. It emphasizes lifelong learning through research skills, creativity, and foreign language proficiency, ensuring graduates are ready for the global market.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| GE 362 785 | Creative Thinking and Problem Solving | Develops critical cognitive skills required for innovation and complex problem solving, a key aspect of relevant skills for employment (Target 4.4). |
| TE 014 761 | Seminar in Production System Technology and Industrial Management | Enhances research and presentation skills, fostering an ability to synthesize knowledge and engage in lifelong learning (Target 4.4). |
| LI 202 009 | English for Professional Communications | Provides essential language skills for global professional communication, ensuring equitable access to international job markets (Target 4.4). |
SDG 6: Clean Water and SanitationAlignment Summary: The curriculum includes specific instruction on managing industrial waste, particularly hazardous materials that pose risks to water quality. This prepares graduates to implement systems that prevent water pollution and manage industrial effluents responsibly.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| TE 019 401 | Hazardous Industrial Waste Management | Teaches the identification, treatment, and disposal of toxic waste to prevent contamination of water systems and the environment, directly supporting Target 6.3 (improving water quality by reducing pollution). |
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean EnergyAlignment Summary: The program addresses the transition to sustainable energy sources within the industrial context. It includes coursework on renewable energy technologies, specifically bio-energy, equipping students to contribute to the energy mix of the future industrial landscape.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| TE 023 505 | Bio-oil and Biodiesel Production Technology | Provides technical knowledge on producing renewable energy from biological sources, contributing to the increase of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2). |
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic GrowthAlignment Summary: A core pillar of this program is enhancing economic productivity through efficient management and entrepreneurship. It prepares students to improve resource efficiency in production and promotes safe and secure working environments for all workers.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| TE 012 501 | Work Study and Productivity Improvement | Focuses on increasing economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation in work processes (Target 8.2). |
| GE 363 789 | Creative Entrepreneurs | Encourages the growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises by teaching entrepreneurship, business planning, and market analysis (Target 8.3). |
| TE 013 101 | Economics and Finance for Industry | Provides the financial acumen necessary to assess project viability and drive sustainable economic growth within industrial sectors (Target 8.1). |
| TE 013 401 | Occupational Safety and Health Technology | Directly supports the protection of labor rights and promotion of safe and secure working environments for all workers (Target 8.8). |
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureAlignment Summary: This is the strongest area of alignment. The curriculum is designed to upgrade industrial infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable. It heavily features Industry 4.0 concepts like IoT, automation, data science, and advanced material engineering.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| TE 012 502 | Internet of Things for Production System Technology | Teaches the integration of IoT in manufacturing, fostering innovation and upgrading technological capabilities of industrial sectors (Target 9.5). |
| TE 014 401 | Industrial Automation | Focuses on retrofitting industries with automation technology to increase efficiency and sustainability (Target 9.4). |
| TE 014 301 | Data Science for Manufacturing System | Utilizes data analytics to optimize manufacturing processes, enhancing scientific research and technological capabilities (Target 9.5). |
| TE 011 501 | Technology and Operations Management | Provides the framework for managing technological transitions and operations to support sustainable industrialization (Target 9.2). |
| TE 012 401 | Engineering Materials and Materials Selection | Supports the development of resilient infrastructure by teaching the properties and selection of appropriate materials for engineering applications (Target 9.1). |
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and ProductionAlignment Summary: The program emphasizes the efficient use of natural resources and the minimization of waste. Through Lean methodologies, supply chain management, and quality assurance, students learn to design and manage production systems that are sustainable and responsible.
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| TE 013 504 | Lean Manufacturing and Lean Six-Sigma | Teaches methodologies specifically designed to substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling, and reuse (Target 12.5). |
| TE 013 501 | Production Planning and Supply Chain Management | Focuses on the efficient management of the supply chain to achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2). |
| TE 019 401 | Hazardous Industrial Waste Management | Addresses the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle to minimize adverse impacts (Target 12.4). |
| TE 013 502 | Quality Management | Ensures production processes meet standards that reduce defects and waste, contributing to sustainable production patterns (Target 12.1). |
SDG 17: Partnerships for the GoalsAlignment Summary: The curriculum fosters multi-stakeholder partnerships through cooperative education and international collaboration. It actively encourages knowledge sharing and technology transfer between the university, the industrial sector, and international partners (e.g., Universitas Gadjah Mada).
| Course Code | Course Title | Alignment Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| TE 014 785 | Co-operative Education in Production System Technology | Facilitates effective public-private and civil society partnerships by placing students in real-world industrial settings to apply knowledge (Target 17.17). |
| TE 013 503 | Work Integrated Learning in Enterprise | Encourages and promotes effective partnerships by integrating academic learning with practical work experience in enterprises (Target 17.17). |
| - | Collaboration with Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) | The program structure includes a specific track for dual degrees/credit transfer with UGM (Indonesia), enhancing North-South, South-South and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology and innovation (Target 17.6). |