SDG 17 in Numbers
The horizontal bar chart, which examines the proportion of output co-authored with low or lower-middle income countries, exhibits an overall upward trend. The proportion commenced at 0.07 in the 2018-2019 period, peaking at 0.089, before settling at 0.088 in the 2022-2023 period. This suggests enhancing international collaboration with developing nations. Comparing the earliest period to the latest one, the variance shows that the proportion increased by roughly 25.7% across the recorded time span.
The Sustainability Literacy Assessment at Thammasat indicates varying levels of understanding across sustainability dimensions. Scores are relatively high in the social (79.8), economic (75.5), and environmental (76.9) dimensions, suggesting strong awareness and engagement with sustainability concepts among the Faculty/Institute/College Sector. While general knowledge is solid, there may still be gaps in applying this understanding to practical, interdisciplinary, or institutional contexts, highlighting opportunities for deeper integration of sustainability literacy across sectors and university activities.
The bar chart detailing SDG 17 Scholarly Output of Thammasat University from 2019 to 2023 shows a substantial and consistent increasing trend. The output began at 335 in 2019 and progressed steadily, reaching 671 by 2023. This continuous expansion reflects a growing focus on the goal of global partnership. Analyzing the data, the total growth from the beginning year of 2019 to the latest year of 2023 represents a substantial variance, showing an increase of approximately 100.3%.
Research in SDG 17
Between 2019 and 2023, Thammasat University produced 2,588 publications related to SDG 17. This extensive body of work demonstrates that partnership is a core mechanism for the university’s research across scientific, social, and economic disciplines. The research aligns directly with the key implementation themes of SDG 17, including multi-stakeholder governance, innovative finance and economic models, science and technology transfer, and capacity building to address both immediate crises and long-term sustainability challenges.
The university’s research can be grouped into four primary clusters, each built upon distinct partnership models:
- Global Health and Crisis Response: This cluster highlights partnerships in Science, Technology, and Innovation to tackle major public health issues. Collaborations were crucial for regional COVID-19 epidemiological studies, national preparedness analysis, and the operation of large-scale clinical networks like the Thai Lymphoma Study Group. These partnerships also extend to governance and finance by addressing health inequity, such as examining the healthcare financial burden in Cambodia, showcasing a commitment to collective action for regional well-being.
- Climate Action and Energy Transition: Research in this area is founded on technical and policy partnerships essential for Governance and Innovation. Thammasat has engaged in complex, multi-institutional projects to model greenhouse gas mitigation pathways for Thailand and the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS). This includes decarbonization strategies for the transport and cement industries and feasibility studies on carbon capture technologies, directly contributing to global climate goals through shared expertise and data.
- Sustainable Urbanization and Infrastructure: This cluster focuses on partnerships for Capacity Building and inclusive Governance in developing resilient urban centers. Research explores frameworks for smart cities, models the benefits of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) in Bangkok, and employs participatory tools like the Community-Based Resilience Analysis (COBRA) to empower local communities. These initiatives exemplify partnerships between academia, government, and communities to create sustainable living environments.
- Innovation, Technology, and Economic Structures: This research emphasizes partnerships as a driver for Economy and Finance. Studies investigate the factors that create robust innovation ecosystems, the impact of digital transformation (e.g., FinTech, Metaverse), and the role of microfinance in achieving both sustainability and social outreach. This work analyzes the institutional and financial frameworks necessary to support technology transfer and sustainable economic growth.
Synthesis and Impact
Collectively, these research clusters illustrate Thammasat University’s role as a key hub in a network of national and international collaborators. Partnerships with top Thai institutions (e.g., Mahidol University), government agencies (e.g., NSTDA), and global organizations (e.g., WHO, World Bank) are fundamental to producing impactful research that translates into tangible means of implementation, from policy-informing models to innovative technologies and sustainable materials.
Outreach and Academic Services in SDG 17
In 2024, Thammasat University demonstrated a strong commitment to SDG 17, through the implementation of 99 distinct academic and social service initiatives. These efforts underscore the university’s role as a central hub for fostering collaboration across local, national, and international levels to achieve sustainable development. The activities can be broadly categorized into three strategic clusters: strengthening international and regional cooperation, building multi-sectoral national partnerships, and fostering community and local-level engagement:
- International and Regional Cooperation (approx. 25 activities)
A significant portion of the initiatives focused on strengthening international partnerships. Thammasat hosted numerous forums analyzing complex geopolitical issues, such as the future of Japan-ASEAN relations, the implications of the U.S. election on Southeast Asia, and regional security challenges. These platforms facilitated high-level dialogue among academics, policymakers, and the public. Furthermore, the university promoted a deeper understanding of global legal frameworks through seminars on international humanitarian law and treaty interpretation, reinforcing its commitment to global governance and peace through cross-border academic collaboration. - Multi-Sectoral National Partnerships (approx. 40 activities)
At the national level, the university spearheaded numerous partnerships with government agencies, the private sector, and civil society. A notable example is the creation of professional networks for educators to enhance teaching quality nationwide. In public health, the university collaborated with a network of hospitals to improve treatment protocols for diseases like asthma. In policy development, Thammasat worked directly with governmental bodies, such as contributing to discussions on a Clean Air Act for Thailand. The university also actively pursued innovation partnerships with various industries to drive technological advancement and economic growth, serving as a bridge between academia and industry. - Community and Local-Level Engagement (roughly 34 activities)
Fostering community engagement was another cornerstone of Thammasat’s SDG 17 strategy. The university played a crucial role in promoting inclusive societal dialogue, particularly through its ongoing work on the peace process in the southern border provinces, which involved extensive public opinion surveys and stakeholder consultations. Direct support for local economies was provided through partnerships with community enterprises, such as those involved in local textile production. These collaborations empowered local producers and preserved cultural heritage. This hands-on approach ensures that development is community-driven and that partnerships are built on a foundation of mutual trust and shared goals.
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Thammasat Leading Regional Collaboration to Drive Multi-Stakeholder Acceleration
Thammasat University reaffirmed its leadership in advancing sustainability by hosting the SDSN Thailand Public Forum 2024. This high-level regional platform, led by the University’s Centre for SDG Research and Support (SDG Move), fostered collaboration among academia, government, the private sector, and international organizations. The Forum played a key role in accelerating sustainability action through inclusive dialogue and cross-sectoral partnerships.
Held on 10 October 2024, the event provided an official mechanism for discussing national and regional priorities, enabling participants to exchange experiences and co-create practical solutions. A major outcome was the publication of the Full Report, which consolidates collective insights and policy recommendations on key themes such as Just Energy Transition and Sustainable Food and Agriculture.
Mobilizing Public Engagement through Thammasat’s Support for the Sustrends Forum
Thammasat University’s SDG Move co-hosts the annual Sustrends forum, an event for sustainability dialogue and partnership-building, alongside The Cloud and a broad coalition of partners. The Sustrends 2025 (held in September 2024) convened diverse stakeholders including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, UNDP, and over 20 civil society organisations, showcasing Thammasat’s strong collaboration with non-academic partners to bridge research expertise with real-world application. Attracting thousands of participants from across sectors, the forum has become an essential space for cross-sectoral dialogue and collaboration. It also serves as a powerful mechanism for enhancing public literacy and awareness on sustainable development, reinforcing Thammasat’s commitment to inclusive, society-wide engagement.
Bridging Local Needs and National Strategy through the “Area Needs” Project
The ongoing Area Needs Project (since 2023), led by Thammasat’s SDG Move with support from TSRI and regional university partners, applies a bottom-up, multi-stakeholder approach to align national research funding with local SDG priorities. A key outcome—the Policy Brief published in November 2024—synthesizes findings from the project’s second year, highlighting shared regional challenges and research gaps. The initiative exemplifies Thammasat University’s pivotal role in strengthening mechanisms for sustainable development across Thailand by connecting local insights with national policy frameworks.
