Khon Kaen University - SDG Alignment for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program

SDG Alignment for Doctor of Veterinary Medicine Program

Overall SDG Alignment Evaluation:

The Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program is fundamentally aligned with the principles of sustainable development, embodying the "One Health" concept which recognizes the profound interconnection between the health of humans, animals, and their shared environment. The curriculum is meticulously designed to produce veterinarians who are not only skilled clinicians but also leaders in public health, food safety, and ecosystem management. This holistic approach ensures a robust and direct contribution to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) through the control of zoonotic diseases and promotion of public health. The program's intensive focus on livestock production, animal nutrition, and food safety makes it a powerful contributor to SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 1 (No Poverty) by ensuring a safe and sustainable food supply and supporting rural livelihoods. By addressing animal welfare, responsible use of resources, and the management of veterinary waste, the curriculum aligns with SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Furthermore, its engagement with aquatic animal health and terrestrial wildlife conservation directly supports SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life On Land). As a professional degree program, it inherently promotes SDG 4 (Quality Education) and, through its required professional experiences and community engagement, fosters the multi-stakeholder collaborations essential for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG Related Course(s)

SDG 1: No Poverty

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Alignment Summary: The program addresses poverty by strengthening the livestock sector, which is a critical source of income and livelihood for many rural communities. Courses in animal production, herd health management, and veterinary economics equip graduates to improve the productivity and financial sustainability of animal husbandry, thereby enhancing economic resilience for farmers and their families.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 712 211	Animal Production and Husbandry	Contributes to poverty reduction by teaching sustainable and efficient animal production practices, which directly supports the livelihoods of farmers and communities dependent on livestock (Target 1.1).
VM 715 621	Veterinary Economics and Farm Management	Aligns with SDG 1 by equipping students with skills in farm management and economics, enabling them to help create financially sustainable agricultural businesses and improve the economic resilience of rural communities (Target 1.4).

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum directly addresses food security and improved nutrition by focusing on the health and productivity of food-producing animals. Through comprehensive training in animal nutrition, disease prevention, and food safety, the program ensures a safe, stable, and nutritious supply of animal-based food products for the population.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 712 212	Animal Nutrition	Directly contributes to ending hunger by focusing on the principles of animal nutrition to improve the productivity and sustainability of livestock, ensuring a stable food supply (Target 2.3).
VM 714 411	Veterinary Public Health I (Food Safety)	Supports food security (Target 2.1) by teaching principles of food safety and hygiene, from farm to table, to ensure that food from animal sources is safe for human consumption.
VM 715 512	Swine Herd Health Management	Aligns with Target 2.3 by focusing on disease prevention and health management in swine production, which increases agricultural productivity and contributes to a sustainable food supply.
VM 715 513	Ruminant Herd Health Management	Contributes to ending hunger by teaching methods to improve the health and productivity of ruminant animals, a key source of food and nutrition for many populations.
VM 715 514	Poultry Herd Health Management	Supports sustainable food production by focusing on the health and disease management of poultry, a major source of protein worldwide, thereby helping to end hunger (Target 2.1).

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

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Alignment Summary: The program is fundamentally centered on the "One Health" principle, directly contributing to human well-being by managing zoonotic diseases, ensuring food safety, and addressing public health challenges at the human-animal-environment interface. The entire curriculum, from veterinary public health to clinical practice, is geared towards preventing disease and promoting health for all.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 714 411	Veterinary Public Health I (Food Safety)	Directly aligns with ensuring healthy lives by focusing on the prevention of foodborne diseases, reducing illness and death from contaminated food (Target 3.9).
VM 714 512	Veterinary Public Health II (Zoonoses)	Contributes to ending epidemics of communicable diseases by focusing on the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases that are transmissible from animals to humans (Target 3.3).
VM 714 613	Veterinary Public Health III (Environmental Health)	Supports well-being by addressing environmental factors that impact both animal and human health, such as pollution and waste management (Target 3.9).
VM 713 315	Veterinary Pharmacology I	Promotes good health by providing foundational knowledge on the safe and effective use of veterinary drugs, which is crucial for treating animal diseases and ensuring food safety.
VM 715 623	Professional Experiences in Veterinary Public Health	This course provides practical training in public health services, directly contributing to the health and well-being of communities through disease prevention and health promotion.

SDG 4: Quality Education

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Alignment Summary: As a professional doctoral program, this curriculum represents the pinnacle of quality education in its field. It provides inclusive and equitable advanced training, equipping graduates with specialized technical, research, and clinical skills for high-level employment and lifelong learning, ensuring they become competent and ethical veterinary professionals.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 715 622	Professional Experiences in Clinical Practice	Provides students with essential technical and vocational skills for employment and decent jobs through extensive hands-on clinical training (Target 4.4).
VM 715 624	Professional Experiences in Veterinary Services and Management	This course offers lifelong learning opportunities (Target 4.3) by exposing students to various aspects of veterinary service management, preparing them for diverse career paths.
VM 716 512	Veterinary Professional Development II	Enhances the quality of education by focusing on the professional and ethical responsibilities of veterinarians, ensuring graduates are prepared for a lifetime of learning and service.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum addresses the importance of clean water and sanitation, particularly in the context of animal health and environmental protection. The course in environmental health teaches students about the impact of agricultural and veterinary waste on water quality and the importance of proper sanitation to prevent waterborne diseases.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 714 613	Veterinary Public Health III (Environmental Health)	Aligns with SDG 6 by addressing the management of animal waste and its potential impact on water quality, contributing to the protection of water-related ecosystems (Target 6.6).

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to decent work and economic growth by preparing graduates for professional careers in the veterinary and agricultural sectors. It also addresses occupational health and safety in agricultural settings and provides skills in veterinary economics and farm management to promote sustainable and profitable enterprises.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 715 624	Professional Experiences in Veterinary Services and Management	Prepares students for decent work by providing practical experience in various veterinary service settings, enhancing their employability and contribution to the economy.
VM 715 621	Veterinary Economics and Farm Management	Fosters economic growth by equipping graduates with the skills to manage veterinary practices and farms as sustainable and profitable businesses, creating decent work opportunities.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

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Alignment Summary: This program promotes responsible production patterns by focusing on sustainable animal husbandry, food safety, and the management of waste. Courses on animal welfare, herd health, and environmental health teach students to produce animal products in a manner that is efficient, safe, and environmentally sound.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 714 411	Veterinary Public Health I (Food Safety)	Promotes responsible production by ensuring that animal products are safe for consumption, which involves sustainable practices throughout the food chain (Target 12.1).
VM 714 613	Veterinary Public Health III (Environmental Health)	Directly aligns with Target 12.4 and 12.5 by teaching the environmentally sound management of waste from veterinary and agricultural activities to reduce pollution and resource degradation.
VM 716 311	Veterinary Professional Development I (Ethics, Laws and Animal Welfare)	Contributes to responsible production by instilling principles of animal welfare and ethical treatment, which are key components of sustainable and responsible animal husbandry.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

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Alignment Summary: The curriculum addresses the health and sustainable use of aquatic ecosystems through specialized training in aquatic animal medicine. This knowledge is essential for the conservation of aquatic biodiversity, the management of sustainable aquaculture, and the prevention of diseases that can affect both wild and farmed aquatic life.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 715 515	Aquatic Animal Medicine	Directly supports the conservation and sustainable use of aquatic resources by focusing on the health and diseases of aquatic animals, which is crucial for protecting marine and freshwater ecosystems (Target 14.2).

SDG 15: Life On Land

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to the protection and sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems through its focus on wildlife health and the management of diseases at the livestock-wildlife interface. This expertise is vital for conserving biodiversity, combating desertification, and halting land degradation.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 715 616	Wild Animal Medicine	Directly supports the protection of biodiversity and terrestrial ecosystems by focusing on the health and conservation of wildlife species (Target 15.5).
VM 714 512	Veterinary Public Health II (Zoonoses)	Contributes to the sustainable management of ecosystems by addressing diseases that can be transmitted between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, which is crucial for protecting life on land.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

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Alignment Summary: The program contributes to building strong institutions by educating future veterinarians on the laws, ethics, and regulations that govern their profession. This knowledge is essential for ensuring that veterinary services are delivered accountably, transparently, and in accordance with national and international standards, thereby strengthening the institutions that protect both animal and public health.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 716 311	Veterinary Professional Development I (Ethics, Laws and Animal Welfare)	Supports the development of strong institutions by providing a foundation in the legal and ethical principles that govern the veterinary profession, promoting accountability and justice (Target 16.6).

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

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Alignment Summary: The program actively promotes partnerships through its emphasis on professional experience, community engagement, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students are required to work with a wide range of stakeholders, including farmers, government agencies, and other health professionals, fostering the multi-stakeholder partnerships necessary to achieve the SDGs.

Course Code	Course Title	Alignment Rationale
VM 715 623	Professional Experiences in Veterinary Public Health	This course requires students to work within various public health organizations, fostering direct partnerships and cross-sectoral dialogue to tackle the SDGs (Target 17.17).
VM 715 624	Professional Experiences in Veterinary Services and Management	Promotes multi-stakeholder partnerships by having students engage with various sectors of the veterinary and agricultural industries, building collaborative relationships (Target 17.17).
VM 716 512	Veterinary Professional Development II	Encourages dialogue and knowledge-sharing among students, faculty, and professionals from various fields, contributing to the global partnership for sustainable development (Target 17.16).