1. Ubon Ratchathani University has direct involvement in, or input into, national government SDG policy development - including identifying problems and challenges, developing policies and strategies, modelling likely futures with and without interventions, monitoring and reporting on interventions, and enabling adaptive management.
Ubon Ratchathani University has direct involvement in, or input into, national government SDG policy development as follow:
1. Ubon Ratchathani University participated in a knowledge exchange on poverty alleviation between Thailand’s Area-Based Development Fund Management Unit (BMU) and Guangxi University, People’s Republic of China. Also present were Kalasin University, a network of 20 area-based development universities, Rajamangala University of Technology (RMUT) network, the Thailand Institute of Scientific and Technological Research (TISTR), as well as government and local experts, university administrators, and researchers totaling over 350 attendees. The discussion focused on sustainable poverty solutions through livelihood creation, with prototype products showcased, including herbal products (soap, inhalers, foot soak powders), food products (seasoning powder, dried Tom Yum soup kits, fried locusts), agricultural products (locust manure), and textile products (multipurpose mats, plastic baskets), held at Kalasin University, Kalasin Province.
2. Ubon Ratchathani University collaborated with the Department of Children and Youth under the Ministry of Social Development and Human Security to discuss the overall poverty situation, especially concerning child poverty and issues affecting Thai children and youth, with a focus on the Northeast and Ubon Ratchathani Province. The discussions included planning academic collaboration with relevant provincial agencies, forming a partnership network to support research and develop prototype innovations to alleviate poverty among children and youth in Ubon Ratchathani, and expanding the university partnership network in the region.
3. Ubon Ratchathani University, together with seven local partners in Ubon Ratchathani, established a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to foster a collaborative role between temples and communities, aiming for sustainable well-being and supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
4. Ubon Ratchathani University signed an MOU with the Ubon Ratchathani Provincial Education Office to drive SDG4, the Sustainable Development Goal on quality education, with tangible local implementation in Ubon Ratchathani. It also participated in the SDG4 Ubon Ratchathani Forum to outline the SDG4 Roadmap for the province.
5. Ubon Ratchathani University Signs Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to Integrate Network Partnerships for Enhancing Well-being in Ubon Ratchathani Province. The collaboration focuses on advancing strategic initiatives in two key areas: waste and sewage management and the promotion of age-appropriate early childhood development. The joint efforts are outlined as follows:
Waste and Sewage Management
Promotion of Age-Appropriate Early Childhood Development
6. In collaboration with the Thai Elderly Research and Development Foundation (TEDFund), the university worked on developing mechanisms and partnerships to improve the quality of life for elderly individuals in Bungsawai and Hua Don Subdistrict Administrative Organizations in Ubon Ratchathani Province.
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2. Ubon Ratchathani University initiates and participates in cross-sectoral dialogue about the SDGs, e.g. conferences involving government/NGOs.
Ubon Ratchathani University works with various agencies to suggest ideas for policies or standards of practice related to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) development. These include:
1. Designing a curriculum to develop Thailand's Nature-Based Solutions for a Carbon Net Zero workforce in collaboration with Prince Songkhla University, Suranaree University of Technology, and Kasetsart University.
2. Conducting a status analysis and developing policy recommendations to advance SDG 13 in collaboration with the National Research Council of Thailand.
3. Submitting policy proposals to the Health Systems Research Institute to improve the cross-border patient referral process between Thailand, Laos, and Cambodia.
4. Ubon Ratchathani University has worked on policy decision-making for SDG13 Climate Change and SDG9 on policy towards the professional standard framework of management on technology and property rights.
5. The Ubon Ratchathani University’s India Studies Center takes part in the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks where discussion on sustainable development through a BCG Economy and Creative Economy has been implemented under capacity-development programs in Ubon Ratchathani Province. The network has been working closely with the Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the BIMSTEC Secretariat.
6. Ubon Ratchathani University, in collaboration with Mae Fah Luang University and the Mekong Academic Consortium 2024, organized a knowledge exchange dialogue among scholars on the topic “Connecting Knowledge to Policy: Creating Cross-Border Impact, Case of Phou Ngoy Dam.” The event focused on policymaking, the role of civil society organizations (CSOs), and the experiences of communities impacted by Mekong River development. The goal was to increase public awareness and environmental consciousness through public outreach and youth environmental education. Additionally, the consortium conducted a hands-on workshop titled “Science and Policy Interface: Young People Engagement in Environmental Action,” selecting 20 youth participants from Ubon Ratchathani University and other institutions to create media and communicate knowledge about the Mekong River for sustainable development. Ubon Ratchathani University also hosted the academic conference “Mekong-Ganga Development in Regional Transition and Uncertainty” to build an international network for studying development in the Mekong and Ganges subregions.
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3. Ubon Ratchathani University participates in international collaboration on gathering or measuring data for the SDGs.
The university is conducting two research projects on climate change and water justice in the Mekong region, supported by international organizations:
1. Strengthening the ability to cope with climate change, a case study of the Ing River Basin research titled “Strengthening climate resilience in the Mekong: Participatory research in better climate resilience in fisheries and fish food security in the Ing River, Thailand” This project is funded by Oxfam International, a global development organization that works to create a more just and equitable world by empowering people to overcome poverty and inequality.
2. Research titled “Slow violence and water (in)justice: Feminist political ecologies of intergenerational struggles in the Mekong region” This project was funded by the Social Science and Humanities Council of Canada (SSHRC).
3. The National Research Data Collection Center - Thailand Vietnam Socio-economic Panel Project (TVSEP) in cooperation with Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH) and Georg-August-Universität Göttingen (UGö), Germany, collected in-depth data on the societal and economic conditions of target households. The project has been undertaken continually since 2015 in cooperation with universities in Vietnam and Thailand. The collected data was made available to researchers and policy officers to plan development in accordance with SDGs 1, 2, and 10.
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4. Ubon Ratchathani University, through international collaboration and research, reviews comparative approaches and develops international best practice on tackling the SDGs.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the BIMSTEC Secretariat participated in the 6th Meeting of the BIMSTEC Network of Policy Think Tanks (BNPTT), held from July 9-10, 2024, in Naypyidaw, Republic of the Union of Myanmar, through a virtual conference format. The meeting aimed to discuss and provide policy recommendations on cooperation in agriculture and food security, with Myanmar serving as the lead country. Additionally, the discussions covered topics such as climate change, agricultural development, and food security.
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5. Ubon Ratchathani University collaborates with NGOs to tackle the SDGs through.
Ubon Ratchathani University, in collaboration with the Equitable Education Fund (EEF), has established a one-year Nurse Assistant Certificate Program under the 2024 Higher Vocational Education Innovation Scholarship Program. This initiative aims to reduce educational inequality, increase access to education, and enhance the quality and effectiveness of teachers. The program provides 33 scholarships to Grade 12 students, or equivalent, from Northeast Thailand who demonstrate academic potential but lack financial resources, with a household income averaging less than 3,000 baht per person per month, allowing them to pursue further education aligned with their capabilities.
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1. Ubon Ratchathani University has a commitment to meaningful education around the SDGs across the university, that is relevant and applicable to all students.
It is mandatory for all undergraduate students at Ubon Ratchathani University to have at least 30 credits of general education courses.The courses are designed based on university policy and its philosophy concerning generaleducation for students. The contents of thecourses are in line with the 17 SDGs. Thecourses aim to produce well-rounded, open-minded graduates with empathy for others, anappreciation of Thai local arts and culture, whoare aware of changes in society and the world,who develop themselves continuously, instillthem with life-long learning values withcompassion to help others to become valuedcitizens of Thailand and the world.
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2. Ubon Ratchathani University has dedicated courses (full degrees, or electives) that address sustainability and the SDGs.
The general education courses can be categorized by SDG themes according to its contents as follows:
SDG1 Elimination of poverty:
Courses in English for career preparation, planning life, and sociology, etc.
SDG 2 Elimination of hunger:
Courses in humans and society, digital business, and personal financial management, etc.
SDG 3 Health and Well-being:
Courses in healthcare, strengthening the mind, music, and health, arts for emotional refinement, healthcare and life skills, health and health problems in Thai society, health care and health promotion, exercise, etc.
SDG 4 Quality Education:
Courses in research communication, and food consumption for health and food safety, etc.
SDG 5 Gender equality:
Courses in gender, sexuality and gender roles, etc.
SDG 6 Clean water and sanitation:
Courses in food chemistry, water pollution management, family planning, reproductive health, etc.
SDG 7 Affordable clean energy:
Courses in energy and life, alternative energy, basic awareness of energy, etc.
SDG 8 Decent work and economic growth:
Courses in economic systems, mundane financial skills, and career development, human resource development, social enterprises, etc.
SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure:
Courses in social innovation, and technology for the future, etc.
SDG 10 Reducing Inequality:
Courses in Thai and global societies, and human rights, etc.
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities:
Courses on urban life, and human settlement, etc.
SDG 12 Responsible consumption and production:
Courses in consumer culture, production, and consumer rights., etc.
SDG 13 Climate action:
Courses in air pollution management, and innovative technology to address climate change, etc.
SDG 14 Life below water:
A course in marine ecology.
SDG 15 Life on land:
Courses in environment and life, and earth science, etc.
SDG 16 Peace, justice and strong institutions:
Courses in law, civil rights, and responsibilities, etc.
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3. Ubon Ratchathani University has dedicated outreach educational activities for the wider community, which could include alumni, local residents, displaced people.
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4. Ubon Ratchathani University measures the sustainability literacy of students.
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