Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) is committed to fostering interdisciplinary research through a blend of physical and digital infrastructure that supports collaboration across various fields.

The university offers shared laboratories equipped with modern instruments for life sciences, ICT, engineering, and environmental studies. These facilities are available to faculty and students from different departments, enabling joint research activities. Seminar rooms, meeting halls, and open collaborative spaces are also available and equipped with audiovisual tools to support both in-person and hybrid research meetings.

Beyond physical resources, NSTU enhances interdisciplinary collaboration through digital access. The university provides remote access to research databases via OpenAthens, enabling researchers to access scholarly journals, eBooks, and academic databases from any location. Faculty and students also benefit from the Turnitin Feedback Studio, which supports collaborative writing and maintains academic integrity. These tools are essential for research teams working across disciplines and distances.

Centralized computing facilities and departmental access to high-end research equipment further support interdisciplinary projects. Additionally, the university hosts regular workshops and research seminars in well-equipped venues to promote academic networking and knowledge exchange.

By combining well-maintained physical infrastructure with robust digital tools, NSTU creates an environment conducive to innovative interdisciplinary research.

Noakhali Science and Technology University ensures targeted administrative support for interdisciplinary research through its institutional structures and practical mechanisms. The Research Cell, led by a Director and supported by several Assistant Directors, plays a central role in guiding researchers through internal grant schemes, assisting in proposal preparation, managing project budgets, and facilitating ethical clearance via the NSTU Ethical Committee—especially for studies involving biological or clinical components.

While the Research Cell promotes research culture and capacity-building across the university, access to laboratories or specialized equipment is managed directly by the respective departments. Any interdisciplinary team needing such access submits a formal request to the Chairman of the department that owns the facility. The Chairman reviews the request, consults the usage schedule, and grants permission based on availability and departmental policy. This approach ensures that resource allocation is well-regulated while still allowing interdisciplinary teams to work flexibly and collaboratively.

Administrative personnel also support faculty in preparing and submitting research proposals to funding bodies such as the UGC, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and international agencies. Once grants are awarded, the Research Cell assists in monitoring milestones, tracking expenditures, and compiling final reports, helping teams remain compliant with institutional and funding requirements.

NSTU regularly conducts workshops and orientation sessions on interdisciplinary research design, proposal development, and research ethics. Communication support is provided through the Public Relations Office, which helps disseminate research outcomes via press releases, web content, or outreach to industry and external institutions.

By combining centralized guidance with decentralized resource access, NSTU’s administrative ecosystem allows interdisciplinary research teams to thrive—ensuring that support is not only policy-driven but also grounded in operational reality.

At NSTU, interdisciplinary research is treated on par with disciplinary research within the existing promotion and tenure evaluation system. While there are no additional or special incentives solely for engaging in interdisciplinary work, such research is fully acknowledged as part of a faculty member's scholarly contributions.

Faculty members are evaluated based on standard academic criteria, including research output, journal publications, participation in funded projects, and overall academic service. Interdisciplinary research—such as joint publications, collaborative grants, and cross-departmental or institutional projects—is recognized as valid and impactful scholarly output when meeting quality and relevance benchmarks.

Rather than maintaining a separate track for interdisciplinary work, NSTU integrates all research achievements into a unified evaluation process. This inclusive model ensures that interdisciplinary contributions are valued equally within the broader context of research productivity, allowing faculty from diverse research backgrounds to progress without bias.

In short, NSTU fosters a fair and inclusive evaluation environment where interdisciplinary research is respected and counted alongside other scholarly achievements. This approach ensures that innovation and collaboration across fields can thrive organically without structural barriers in career progression.