Interdisciplinary Research at An-Najah National University

At An-Najah National University, interdisciplinary research is highly valued, serving as a vital component of academic exploration and problem-solving. This approach, which integrates methodologies, theories, and perspectives from multiple disciplines, is essential for tackling complex societal challenges comprehensively. By transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries, interdisciplinary research fosters innovation, collaboration, and the development of novel solutions to pressing global issues. An-Najah National University places a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, encouraging faculty and students to work together across departments and faculties. One prominent focus of interdisciplinary research at the university involves the integration of disciplines such as chemistry, agriculture, biology, and pharmacy. Collaborative projects in this area aim to address critical issues such as agricultural sustainability, food security, and environmental conservation. Additionally, interdisciplinary research initiatives between the faculties of engineering and chemistry are driving innovation in materials science, with a focus on renewable energy, environmental remediation, and biomedical engineering. By combining expertise from diverse fields, interdisciplinary research at An- Najah National University seeks to advance knowledge, add address societal needs, and drive positive change on a global scale. The table below shows the growth of interdisciplinary research in the past four years.

The research committee at ANNU is currently revising the interdisciplinary research awards, and the ANNU committee for academic promotion to give extra points for interdisciplinary research.

Our Research Institutes to offer a new approach to solving problems of global importance. They build on existing strengths and bring together academic talents from across a range of disciplines.

There are also number of multidisciplinary research centers and labs working across the University on a broad range of subjects. These include:

Year

Total Research

Interdisciplinary research (IR)

IR Percentage

2020

314

34

10 %

2021

382

46

12 %

2022

487

88

18 %

2023

505

101

20 %

  1. Knowledge and attitudes toward the use of anabolic–androgenic steroids among physical education university students: a cross-sectional study from Palestine, 2024, Scientific Reports
    DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52787-w 
  2. Chemical composition, anticancer, antimicrobial activity of Aloysia citriodora Palau essential oils from four different locations in Palestine 2024, BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies
    DOI: 10.1186/s12906-024-04390-9
  3. Knowledge, Perceptions and Attitudes among Sharia Practitioners in Palestine Regarding Halal Pharmaceuticals: An Exploratory Study 2022, Journal of Religion and Health 
    DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01604-7
  4. Assessment of flexible pristine CdS film electrodes in photoelectrochemical light-to-electricity conversions, 2023, Materials Chemistry and Physics 
    DOI: 10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.126967
  5. Cellulose based polyurethane with amino acid functionality: Design, synthesis, computational study and application in wastewater purification, 2023, International Journal of Biological Macromolecules
    DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.124328
  6. Carbon nanodots synthesized from used tobacco molasses as promising selective probes for Fe (III) ion sensing, 2024, Materials Today Sustainability
    DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2024.100697
  7. Following drug degradation and consequent taste deterioration of an oral reconstituted paediatric suspension during dosing interval via electronic tongue, 2022, Saudi Pharm J.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jsps.2022.02.016 
  8. Global Research Trends of Health-Related Publications on Ramadan Fasting from 1999 to 2021: A Bibliometric Analysis, 2022, Journal of Religion and Health
    DOI: 10.1007/s10943-022-01573-x
  9. Factors associated with knowledge, attitude, and practice of exclusively breastfeeding Palestinian women: A cross-sectional study, 2024, Palestinian Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal
    DOI: 10.59049/2790-0231.1121
  10. Jahn-Teller distortion in SP-like [Cu(bipy)(triamine)].2BF4 complexes with novel N-H…F/C-H…F synthon: XRD/HSA-interactions, physicochemical, electrochemical, DFT, docking and COX/LOX inhibition, 2023, Journal of Molecular Liquids.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.molliq.2023.122689
  11. Design, synthesis and antimicrobial properties of cellulose-based amine film. Polym. Bull. 2022; 79:
    https://doi.org/10.1007/s00289-020-03482-z.
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00289-020-03482-z
  12. GC–MS based metabolites profiling, in vitro antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-cancer properties of different solvent extracts from leaves, stems, roots, and flowers of Micromeria fruticosa (Lamiaceae). Processes, 2022, 10, 1016.
    https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9717/10/5/1016
    https://doi.org/10.3390/pr10051016
  13. Children’s Rates of COVID-19 Vaccination as Reported by Parents, Vaccine Hesitancy, and Determinants of COVID-19 Vaccine Uptake Among Children: A Multi-Country Study from the Eastern Mediterranean Region. BMC Public Health, 2022; 22(1):1375.
    https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-022-13798-2
    https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-022-13798-2
  14. Curcumin-Based Heterocycles: synthesis, antimicrobial, genotoxicity and molecular docking. Asian Journal of Chemistry, 2023; 35(4):951:960.
    https://asianpubs.org/index.php/ajchem/article/view/35_4_22
    https://doi.org/10.14233/ajchem.2023.26950
  15. In vitro anticoagulant effect analysis of leaves different extract types of Calotropis procera (Asclepiadaceae) in West Bank/Palestine. The Palestinian Medical and Pharmaceutical Journal (PMPJ): 2023; 8(2): 157-168.
    https://pmpj.najah.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1169&context=journal
    https://doi.org/10.59049/2790-0231.1169
  16. Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Canine Parvovirus Isolates in Palestine. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 2023; 43(4):677-682.
    http://www.pvj.com.pk/pdf-files/23-252.pdf
    https://doi.org/10.29261/pakvetj/2023.094
  17. Occurrence and molecular characterization of Salmonella Typhimurium and Salmonella Enteritidis isolates from contaminated food samples from Palestine. J Hellenic Vet Med Soc, 2023; 74(3):6201-6211
    https://ejournals.epublishing.ekt.gr/index.php/jhvms/article/view/31088/26765
    https://doi.org/10.12681/jhvms.31088
  18. Design, synthesis and antimicrobial properties of cellulose-based amine film Polymer BulletinVolume 79, Issue 1,
    DOI: 10.1007/s00289-020-03482-z
  19. The efficiency of removal of organophosphorus malathion pesticide using functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube: Impact of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) Separation Science and Technology (Philadelphia)Volume 57, Issue 1, Pages 1 – 122022
    DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2021.1881118
  20. Amorphous Iron Phosphate: Inorganic Sol-Gel Synthesis-Sodium and Potassium Insertion Indonesian Journal of Science and TechnologyOpen AccessVolume 7, Issue 2, Pages 187 – 2022022
    https://doi.org/10.17509/ijost.v7i2.45948
  21. Assessment of PM2.5, TVOCs, comfort parameters, and volatile organic solvents of paint at carpenter workshop and exposure to residential houses in Deir Ballout in Palestine International Journal of Environmental Science and TechnologyVolume 19, Issue 2,
    DOI: 10.1007/s13762-020-02877-9
  22. Cellulose polymers with β-amino ester pendant group: design, synthesis, molecular docking and application in adsorption of toxic metals from wastewaterBMC ChemistryOpen AccessVolume 16, Issue 1December 2022 Article number 43
    DOI: 10.1186/s13065-022-00837-7
  23. Visible light-driven ZnO nanoparticles/carbon nanodots hybrid for broad-spectrum antimicrobial activitySurfaces and InterfacesVolume 38June 2023 Article number 102760
    DOI:10.1016/j.surfin.2023.102760
  24. Perovskite Nano-Powder and Nano-Film Catalysts in Mineralization of Aqueous Organic Contaminants through Solar Simulated RadiationProcessesOpen AccessVolume 11, Issue 8August 2023 Article number 2378
    DOI: 10.3390/pr11082378
  25. Covalent functionalization of graphene sheets for plasmid DNA delivery: experimental and theoretical study
    https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2023/ra/d3ra00727h
    https://doi.org/10.1039/D3RA00727H
  26. Effective Integration of Artificial Intelligence in Medical Education: Practical Tips and Actionable Insights
    DOI: 10.4018/979-8-3693-3661-8.ch001
  27. How environmental perception affect players’ in-game behaviors? Towards developing games in compliance with sustainable development goals. DOI: 10.1016/j.entcom.2024.100678

     

Company Name: Jusoor labs

Founded: 2018

Website: https://jusoorlabs.com/

Field: Education - Virtual - Science and Laboratories

Jusoor is an educational platform that provides virtual laboratories for science subjects to solve the problem of lack of equipment and materials, their high cost, or the danger of some experiments. This allows university and school students to enjoy laboratories and experience them online easily and safely at any time.

 

Company Name: Edu-tech

Founded: 2022

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Edu-Tech/100089957077165/

Field: Technological – educational

Edutech merges education and modern technology, but in a different way that will improve the quality of education and consolidate information in the student's mind. Edutech focuses primarily on integrating virtual reality with university education to enhance students' understanding of the material and make the learning experience more realistic. Edutech is a simple website that connects students who want to learn with experienced students who can give lessons for a fee. These lessons can be either in-person or online, and in both cases, there are options to include virtual reality. Edutech will provide virtual reality equipment to students by renting it out with the required lecture for a small fee that benefits the company and is at the same time affordable for students. The lectures are prepared by the company and contain the study material for the student using virtual or augmented reality, for example, to transport the student to the human body to learn about the processes that take place inside it.

 

Company Name: Eco-spire

Founded: 2021

Website: https://www.facebook.com/greengoldps/

Field: Education - Environmental - industrial

The first-ever eco-friendly packaging material proudly Made in Palestine, and achieved without cutting down a single tree! Olive trees are a staple of the Palestinian landscape. Their olives contribute significantly to the local economy. However, this abundance creates a waste problem: olive pulp. This byproduct has a foul odor, attracts swarms of insects, and is typically disposed of by burning. This practice releases dangerous toxic pollution and reduces crop yields, harming both Palestinian livelihoods and the environment.


Company Name: Smart hand

Founded: 2021

Website: N/A

Field: Medical - technological - artificial intelligence

The Smart Hand Project is a device in the shape of a glove that is worn on the hand. It contains all kinds of sensors responsible for measuring the vital signs in the human body. Through it, we can obtain an electrocardiogram (EKG) by simply placing the palm of the hand on the heart. It is completely free of any external wires and has no disturbing sounds. It is connected to an application on the mobile phone that analyzes all the data and can predict the occurrence of any future diseases.
 

Company Name: ADHD

Founded: 2021

Website: N/A

Field: Medical "specialized in genetic diseases - technology - artificial intelligence

This project explores a new approach to treating ADHD in children, particularly in regions with high prevalence like Palestine. Traditional methods like medication or therapy have limitations, and animal-assisted therapy, while effective, isn't always accessible. The project proposes robot-assisted therapy as a safe, effective, and affordable alternative. The study at ANNU showed significant improvement in ADHD symptoms for children who received robot therapy compared to traditional methods. The robot acts as a companion, playing games, offering support, and collecting data to personalize the therapy. This research suggests robot-assisted therapy has the potential to be a valuable tool in helping children with ADHD reach their full potential.


Company Name: Green Energy

Founded: 2021

Website: N/A

Field: Electrical & Renewable energy

The idea of this project is to create a new way to produce electrical energy and use it in several ways, using the heat generated or generated from the central heating system in universities or institutions to convert this heat into stored electricity that can be used in several uses, including lighting or providing dedicated places for charging mobile phones in a beautiful way. Also, in order to make electricity available throughout the year, solar cells have been used by adding them to the project. Thus, we have two renewable sources of electrical energy.
 

Company Name: ECO PAPE

Founded: 2022

Website: N/A

Field: Environmental – technological - industrial

Developing a sustainable solution for the vast quantities of olive pulp, a byproduct of olive oil extraction, is crucial due to its significant polluting potential and the environmental challenges associated with its disposal. The global scale of olive production amplifies this issue, demanding innovative waste management strategies. This project focuses on extracting pure cellulose from olive pulp and utilizing it to produce cellulose-based paper. By transforming this waste into a value-added product, we not only mitigate pollution but also contribute to resource efficiency and environmental sustainability.
 

Company Name: ALLERGY

Founded: 2022

Website: N/A

Field: Health – Technology

We propose the development of a comprehensive solution tailored to individuals with food allergies, encompassing both a user-friendly mobile application and an online store. Our innovative application will revolutionize how users navigate food products by employing cutting-edge technology to scan and analyze ingredient lists. By seamlessly comparing ingredients with the user's specific allergens, the app swiftly alerts users to potential risks, empowering them to make informed decisions about what they consume. Additionally, our curated online store will cater exclusively to individuals with various allergies, offering a diverse range of meticulously vetted products that meet their dietary needs. This integrated approach not only enhances accessibility to safe food options but also fosters a supportive community for individuals managing food allergies.
 

Company Name: Ezra’a

Founded: 2021

Website : N/A

Field: Environmental-technological

Due to diminishing arable land and increasing population, humanity needs to double its agricultural production by 2050. Agriculture currently accounts for 70% of total water consumption, with excessive pesticide use exacerbating environmental concerns. Introducing Ezra’a, an advanced hydroponic farming system designed for small-scale installation in ordinary homes, not exceeding 4 square meters. Ezra’a yields vegetables 5-10 times more efficiently than traditional farming while consuming 70% less water, requiring minimal space. Beneficiaries include individuals seeking additional income sources, health-conscious consumers, people with disabilities, and youth. The impact is increased vegetable productivity, reduced water and chemical consumption, and the transformation of cities into greener spaces.
 

Company Name: Brill

Founded: 2021

Website : N/A

Field: Medical "special needs" - technological

Due to the challenges faced by the blind in navigating the internet and reading texts, as well as the lack of privacy in their assistive devices, we have devised a solution to aid the blind, their centers, and individuals with visual impairments. We have developed a device that enables them to browse the internet in Arabic by converting text to Braille using Bluetooth. Additionally, we have incorporated glasses with a camera that analyzes any text it sees, converts it to Braille, and reads it aloud. One of the key features of this design is its user-friendly interface and wireless functionality. Its affordability makes it accessible to all, and its compact size allows users to carry it anywhere, ensuring their privacy.


Eng. Lubna Kino

Administrator, Interdisciplinary Research

The interdisciplinary research administrator at An-Najah National University plays an important role in fostering collaboration and innovation across diverse academic disciplines. Responsibilities include facilitating communication between researchers, coordinating resources such as funding and facilities, providing administrative support for projects, promoting the value of interdisciplinary research, and organizing training sessions.

Email: [email protected]