Content Analysis of Mahidol University Strategic Plan (2024 - 2027) under the Framework of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Abstract

Mahidol University places a strong emphasis on advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through institutional-level strategic planning. This study aims to: 1) analyze the level of linkage between the Mahidol University Strategic Plan (2024 - 2027) and the SDGs across four components—strategic themes, strategic initiatives, projects, and performance indicators (CKPIs and KPIs); 2) classify the linkages into two categories: explicit linkage and implicit linkage, using
a contextual interpretation approach; and 3) assess the coverage and emphasis of the SDGs in the Plan, while proposing policy recommendations to enhance systematic integration. This qualitative research employed content analysis combined with frequency analysis, grounded in the conceptual framework of all 17 SDGs. The findings reveal that: 1) the Strategic Plan is linked to 11 out of 17 SDGs, representing 64.7% coverage. SDGs 9, 4, 8, 17, and 12 appear most frequently, while SDGs 1, 2, 5, 6, 14, and 15 are absent; 2) the majority of the linkages are implicit, with a stronger presence at the project and general indicator levels than at the CKPI level, which remains limited; and 3) the integration of SDGs lacks systemic clarity. It is therefore recommended that the University enhance institutional mechanisms, incorporate SDG Targets into core indicators, expand efforts to cover the unaddressed SDGs, and systematically design projects aligned with SDG Targets to position itself as a model for sustainable development.