The acceptance of paperless study by Noakhali Science and Technology University students

Purpose The purpose of this study is to assess the acceptance of paperless study by the students from different departments, institutes and faculties of Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Bangladesh. Design/methodology/approach A structured questionnaire was distributed through both web-based and paper-based formats, yielding responses from 509 undergraduate and graduate students. This study employed a quantitative research design, using descriptive statistics alongside inferential tests, including one-way ANOVA, the Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis H test to explore differences in paperless study acceptance. Findings The study found that most of the respondents are familiar with paperless learning. Most access content through mobile phones and laptops and rely on platforms like YouTube, Facebook and WhatsApp for academic assistance. Despite high digital engagement, students prefer a hybrid learning approach. Significant differences were identified by age in the support dimension, by academic year in convenience and by computer proficiency in both knowledge and convenience, while gender had no significant effect. Institutional support was found to be strong. However, challenges like slow internet, difficulty in finding relevant information and limited ICT access persist, echoing findings in similar contexts. Research limitations/implications This study is limited by its focus on a single public university (NSTU) and the absence of stratified sampling, which limits the generalizability of findings and reduces demographic diversity. Originality/value This study offers practical guidance for developing digital learning strategies and improving paperless education practices in the context of developing countries.