Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Master of Science Program in Geotechnology

SDG Alignment for Master of Science Program in Geotechnology

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Master of Science Program in Geotechnology is fundamentally aligned with the principles of sustainable development by focusing on the responsible exploration, extraction, and management of Earth's resources. The curriculum is designed to produce experts who can address the critical challenges of resource security, environmental protection, and infrastructure development. The program makes a powerful contribution to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through its focus on petroleum, geothermal, and mineral resources. Its strong emphasis on hydrogeology and groundwater management directly supports SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation). By integrating engineering geology and soil mechanics, it fosters the development of resilient infrastructure, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure). Furthermore, its focus on geohazards, environmental impact assessment, and waste management connects directly to SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). As a master's level research program, it is a cornerstone of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and embodies the collaborative spirit required for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a master's program, this curriculum provides high-quality, specialized education in geotechnology. It is designed to equip students with the advanced research, technical, and analytical skills necessary for high-level employment in the energy, resources, and environmental sectors, fostering lifelong learning and scientific innovation.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 701	Research Methodology in Geotechnology	Directly supports Target 4.4 by providing students with advanced technical and research skills for relevant employment and innovation in the geotechnology sector.
TE 047 891 / 892	Seminar in Geotechnology I / II	Enhances lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by providing graduate-level training in scientific discourse, critical analysis, and the communication of complex research findings.
TE 047 898 / 899	Thesis / Independent Study	Represents a capstone lifelong learning opportunity (Target 4.3), where students conduct original research, thereby acquiring superior technical skills for employment and contributing new knowledge (Target 4.4).

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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Alignment Summary: The program places a strong emphasis on the sustainable management of water resources, particularly groundwater. Courses cover the principles of hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, and resource management, directly contributing to the protection and sustainable use of vital water-related ecosystems.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 750	Hydrogeology	Supports the protection and restoration of water-related ecosystems (Target 6.6) by providing a fundamental understanding of groundwater systems.
TE 047 751	Groundwater Resource Management	Directly aligns with Target 6.5 by implementing integrated water resources management at all levels through advanced knowledge of groundwater systems.
TE 047 752	Groundwater Modeling	Contributes to increasing water-use efficiency (Target 6.4) by providing tools to model and manage groundwater resources sustainably.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

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Alignment Summary: This program contributes to ensuring access to affordable and clean energy by training experts in the exploration and development of both conventional and renewable energy resources. The curriculum covers petroleum geology and geothermal energy, supporting the expansion of energy infrastructure and research into cleaner energy technologies.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 740	Petroleum Geology	Contributes to ensuring universal access to modern energy services (Target 7.1) by providing expertise in the exploration of essential energy resources.
TE 047 741	Geothermal Energy	Supports the increase in the share of renewable energy (Target 7.2) and enhances international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology (Target 7.a).

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

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Alignment Summary: The program is integral to building resilient infrastructure and fostering innovation. By providing advanced knowledge in engineering geology and rock mechanics, it ensures that infrastructure projects are built on a sound geological foundation. The focus on resource exploration and assessment enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of the resource industry.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 760	Engineering Geology	Directly supports the development of quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure (Target 9.1) by applying geological principles to civil engineering projects.
TE 047 761	Geological Engineering Rock Mechanics	Contributes to building resilient infrastructure by ensuring the stability and safety of structures built in or on rock masses (Target 9.1).
TE 047 743	Mineral Resource Exploration and Assessment	Enhances scientific research and upgrades the technological capabilities of industrial sectors (Target 9.5) through advanced methods for resource discovery and evaluation.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum contributes to making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable. It addresses the crucial need to understand and mitigate geohazards, manage environmental impacts, and ensure that urban development is supported by sound geological and environmental planning.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 771	Geohazards and Environmental Impact Assessment and Mitigation	Directly supports Target 11.5 by providing the skills to significantly reduce the number of deaths and economic losses caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, by focusing on risk assessment and mitigation.
TE 047 770	Environmental Geotechnology	Contributes to reducing the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities (Target 11.6) by addressing issues such as waste management and pollution from a geotechnical perspective.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: The program strongly promotes responsible production patterns by emphasizing the sustainable management of natural resources and the environmentally sound management of waste. It equips graduates with the knowledge to ensure that the extraction and use of resources, as well as the disposal of waste, are conducted in a manner that minimizes environmental harm.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 743	Mineral Resource Exploration and Assessment	Supports the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources (Target 12.2) by providing the scientific basis for responsible mineral extraction.
TE 047 772	Geotechnology for Waste Management	Directly aligns with Target 12.4 by teaching the environmentally sound management of wastes throughout their life cycle to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment.

SDG 13: Climate Action

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Alignment Summary: The program addresses climate action by preparing experts to understand and manage climate-related hazards. The focus on geohazards is crucial for strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity to events such as landslides and floods, which are being exacerbated by climate change.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 771	Geohazards and Environmental Impact Assessment and Mitigation	Strengthens resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters (Target 13.1) by providing the tools to assess and mitigate geological risks.

SDG 15: Life on Land

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Alignment Summary: This program contributes to the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems by providing foundational knowledge in soil mechanics. Understanding the properties and behavior of soil is essential for preventing land degradation and ensuring that land use for infrastructure and agriculture is sustainable.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 762	Soil Mechanics for Geotechnology	Supports the effort to combat desertification and restore degraded land and soil (Target 15.3) by providing the scientific basis for understanding soil stability and preventing erosion.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The research-intensive nature of this program inherently fosters partnerships for sustainable development. Through seminar courses and thesis work, students engage with the global scientific and industrial communities, promoting the knowledge-sharing and multi-stakeholder collaborations that are vital for addressing the complex challenges of resource and environmental management.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
TE 047 891 / 892	Seminar in Geotechnology I / II	Enhances the global partnership for sustainable development by having students engage with and present on the latest global research, fostering a culture of knowledge-sharing (Target 17.6).
TE 047 898 / 899	Thesis / Independent Study	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 geotechnology.