Report on Interdisciplinary Research Trends at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU)

Prepared for Times Higher Education (THE) Interdisciplinary Science Rankings

1. Introduction

This report presents an analytical overview of interdisciplinary research trends at Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) based on institutional thesis archives, digital repository data, and recent academic research patterns from 2013 to 2023. The analysis highlights the increasing integration of agriculture with social sciences, economics, environmental science, data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and ICT-based innovations.

2. Department-wise Interdisciplinary Research Statistics

3. Major Statistical and Methodological Trends

• Approximately 65% of socio-agricultural research in Agricultural Extension now applies Likert Scale methods and Multiple Regression Analysis.
• More than 80% of theses currently use statistical software such as SPSS or STATA for data analysis.
• Interdisciplinary research combining Entomology and Agronomy has demonstrated an estimated 15–20% increase in crop productivity compared to single-discipline approaches.
• Gender-based agricultural studies indicate that the information access gap between male and female farmers has decreased by approximately 10–12%.
• ICT and app-based agriculture-related theses have increased by nearly 25% over the last three years.

4. Interdisciplinary Research Growth Timeline (2013–2023)

5. Institutional Impact and Significance

The growing trend of interdisciplinary research at SAU demonstrates the institution’s commitment to innovation, sustainable agriculture, technological integration, and societal impact. The increased collaboration among agricultural sciences, ICT, environmental studies, economics, and social sciences contributes significantly to modern agricultural problem-solving approaches. These developments strengthen SAU’s academic visibility, research quality, and global competitiveness, supporting its participation in international rankings such as the Times Higher Education Interdisciplinary Science Rankings.

6. Conclusion

The analysis clearly indicates that Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University has experienced a steady increase in interdisciplinary research activities over the last decade. The adoption of digital technologies, AI, statistical software, ICT-based agriculture, and collaborative research methodologies reflects the university’s transition toward a modern and globally competitive research ecosystem.

Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) Research Contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - 2024

As of 2024, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University (SAU) has demonstrated a strong commitment to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through extensive research activities. A total of 7,087 research papers are listed on the university’s official website, reflecting the vibrant academic and scientific engagement of SAU researchers. Among these, 1,622 papers are indexed in the Scopus database, showcasing the university’s global research visibility and impact.

In the year 2024 alone, SAU researchers published 229 papers that contribute directly to various SDG targets. These publications cover a wide range of thematic areas including food security, health, climate change, clean energy, and sustainable agriculture.

The distribution of the 2024 publications across the 17 SDGs is summarized below:

Summary and Insights

The data highlight SAU’s strong alignment with global sustainability priorities. The highest number of publications in 2024 were related to:

• SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) – 34 papers
• SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) – 30 papers
• SDG 14 (Life Below Water) – 26 papers

These focus areas underline the university’s expertise in agricultural productivity, public health, and environmental sustainability.

SAU continues to foster interdisciplinary research collaborations, both nationally and internationally, in support of the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Sustainability Committee