Sustainability Office
Institutional Excellence Center


Concept

Palestine Technical University - Kadoorie (PTUK) is committed to advancing scientific research as a cornerstone of its institutional mission. In alignment with PTUK's vision to become a leading state university and a hub for scientific research, and in response to global imperatives for knowledge integration, the university is developing its interdisciplinary research ecosystem as a strategic pillar for academic excellence and national development.

PTUK's unique academic structure — spanning Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, Information Technology & Artificial Intelligence, Allied Medical Sciences, Applied Sciences, Business & Economics, Arts & Educational Sciences, and Physical Education & Sport Sciences — provides a fertile environment for interdisciplinary collaboration across natural science, technology, and applied domains.

Research Types

1. Interdisciplinary Research

A scientific approach that integrates knowledge and methodologies from multiple disciplines to solve complex problems, relying on genuine interaction and integration across fields. It is executed through collaboration among researchers from different domains or a single researcher employing multiple methodologies, with the goal of generating insights and innovations that transcend conventional disciplinary boundaries.

2. Multidisciplinary Research

Based on cooperation among different disciplines to study a topic or solve a specific problem, where each discipline contributes its own perspective without genuine methodological integration. It enables a broader, multi-angled understanding of complex issues, but does not necessarily lead to new concepts that transcend individual disciplinary boundaries.

3. Intradisciplinary Research

Conducted exclusively within a single academic discipline, using field-specific concepts, tools, and methodologies without integrating external perspectives. Its primary aim is to deepen specialised knowledge and develop theoretical constructions within the discipline's own discourse.

Added Value of Interdisciplinary Research
  1. Innovative Solutions to Complex Problems
    Enables addressing multifaceted challenges that individual disciplines cannot handle effectively, including sustainable agriculture, AI in applied sciences, water resource management, and food security — all critical to Palestine's development agenda.
  2. Advancing New Knowledge Beyond Disciplinary Boundaries
    Generates groundbreaking theories, concepts, and technologies arising from structured collaboration between PTUK's diverse scientific faculties.
  3. Strengthening Scientific Collaboration & Collective Creativity
    Supports interaction among researchers from Engineering, IT & AI, Agricultural Engineering, Applied Sciences, and Allied Medical Sciences, enriching critical thinking and broadening perspectives.
  4. Maximizing Societal and National Impact
    Drives practical solutions in agricultural technology, health services, environmental sustainability, and digital transformation — directly serving Palestinian society.
  5. Adaptability to Scientific and Technological Transformation
    Equips PTUK researchers with multidisciplinary skills to keep pace with rapid advances in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and precision agriculture.
  6. Enhancing Academic Competitiveness and Funding Opportunities
    Improves PTUK's research rankings and increases opportunities to secure funding from national and international bodies supporting applied and integrative research.
Methodology & Criteria for Interdisciplinary Research

Research is classified as interdisciplinary when it integrates two or more of the following core scientific disciplines relevant to PTUK's academic structure:

Category Sub-disciplines Relevant to PTUK
Physical Sciences (Core) Chemistry, Physics, Nanotechnology, Materials Science, Mathematics & Statistics.
Life Sciences (Core) Biological Sciences, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Genetics, Pharmacology, Nutrition, Agricultural Sciences.
Engineering (Core) Biomedical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical & Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Agricultural Engineering.
Computer Science (Core) Artificial Intelligence, Information Systems, Software Engineering, Computer Networks, Cybersecurity.
Allied Medical Sciences (Extended) Medical Laboratory Sciences, Physiotherapy, Nutrition & Dietetics, Radiology, Nursing.
Social Sciences (Extended) Education, Psychology, Business & Economics, Sociology, Geography.
Criteria for Classifying Research as Interdisciplinary
  1. Multi-Subject Classification according to approved subject classifications.
  2. Citation Network Analysis showing cross-disciplinary engagement.
  3. Author and Institutional Collaboration across different academic fields.
  4. Journal Classification covering multiple disciplines.
  5. Keyword and Abstract Analysis confirming multi-disciplinary terminology.
  6. Cross-Discipline Citation Impact (C-Score).
  7. Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI).
Important Note

Research is classified as interdisciplinary when it includes at least one core scientific discipline (Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Engineering, or Computer Science) combined with another qualifying discipline. PTUK's strength in Engineering, Agricultural Engineering, IT & Artificial Intelligence, and Applied Sciences positions the university advantageously for interdisciplinary classification under the ISR framework.

CONTACT US