Unitech is now well suited to promote research because of its manpower strength of about 180 academics, 500 support staff and 3000 students. Being located in Lae, the industrial hub of PNG, the University has the advantage of close cooperation in research with a large number of industries, business organizations and government agencies. It has also a number of MOUs for cooperation with overseas universities.
Each of the academic departments and research centers will develop its sub-plan in alignment with University Research Plan. The sub-plans will be more specific to their academic disciplines.

The fields of research can be aligned with academic disciplines. Thus, research topics may include those from agriculture, forestry, applied chemistry, food technology, mining and mineral processing, drilling and exploration, architectural designs and heritage, energy and power supply, telecommunication, roads and highways, surface hydrology, disaster management, earthquake resistant design, downstream processing, culture and traditions, tribal integration, land issues, sociology, environmental sustainability, leadership development, promotion of SMEs, etc. Each academic department and research centre will have distinctive focus areas where research efforts will be directed.