Sharjah Scholar Leads UAE in Global Ranking

Professor Ilhan Ozturk from the University of Sharjah has been named the top researcher in the United Arab Emirates, according to the 2024 edition of the globally recognized Stanford-Elsevier Top 2% Scientists list. This distinction places Professor Ozturk not only at the forefront of academic research within the UAE but also among the most influential scientists globally. The Stanford-Elsevier ranking, developed by a research team at Stanford University and Elsevier, identifies the top 2% of scientists worldwide based on a composite indicator that includes total citations, h-index, and co-authorship-adjusted impact. In the 2024 release, Professor Ozturk was ranked 167th globally and 7th in his subfield, out of over 210,000 researchers evaluated across multiple disciplines. His high citation impact underscores the breadth and global relevance of his work. Currently serving as Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University of Sharjah, Professor Ozturk is internationally renowned for his research in energy economics, sustainability, and macroeconomic development. His scholarship has focused on the interplay between energy consumption, environmental degradation, and economic growth—providing policymakers with evidence-based insights critical to shaping energy and climate policy. With numerous highly cited publications in indexed journals, his research continues to influence both academic discourse and real-world policy frameworks. This national recognition aligns with the University of Sharjah’s strong performance on the 2024 Top 2% Scientists list. Remarkably, five of the top 10 researchers in the UAE hail from the University of Sharjah, a testament to its sustained investment in research infrastructure, international collaboration, and faculty excellence. The remaining top-ranked researchers include two from Khalifa University of Science and Technology, two from Mohammed Bin Rashid University of Medicine and Health Sciences (MBRU), and one from United Arab Emirates University. From a QS perspective, this strong showing reinforces the University of Sharjah’s growing influence in regional and global higher education ecosystems. Research output and citation impact are key indicators in major global university rankings, including the QS World University Rankings. Institutions that consistently cultivate high-impact research—such as the University of Sharjah—enhance their academic reputation, attract international partnerships, and contribute significantly to national innovation agendas. The presence of five top-10 researchers at UoS illustrates not only the quality of its academic talent but also the university’s role in elevating the UAE’s standing in global research competitiveness. As universities worldwide seek to balance excellence in teaching, research, and innovation, the case of Professor Ilhan Ozturk and the University of Sharjah demonstrates how strategic academic leadership and research-driven policies can result in global recognition. The full UAE list and details on global rankings can be found at: https://top2percentscientists.com/top-10-researchers-from-uae-2024