Karachi, Pakistan – Over two dozen scholars from the Aga Khan University (AKU) have been named among the World’s Top 2% Scientists List for 2024 by Stanford University. The list includes faculty members and alumni from Pakistan whose research continues to shape health, education and other critical sectors in the developing world.
The annual list, considered one of the most respected global benchmarks, identifies leading researchers across a wide range of disciplines. These include health care services and delivery, education, climate science, economics, mental health, and the wellbeing of vulnerable groups such as women and children. Rankings are based on standardized citation data from Elsevier’s Scopus database, which assesses the influence of scientists through academic citations and the quality of the peer-reviewed journals where their work appears.
From Pakistan, over 20 esteemed individuals from AKU feature on this year’s list. Among them are Dr Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Dr Salim S. Virani, Dr Romaina Iqbal, and Dr Jai Kumar Das; scholars whose work has made a lasting impact on the quality of life for the people in Pakistan and abroad. Many hold leadership positions at various national and international agencies and represent the multitude of scholars at AKU who are contributing at the highest level internationally. Collectively, AKU’s research has influenced 5,347 policy documents in 25 countries, including the WHO, World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation, and UNICEF. Their work has advanced standards of care, strengthened evidence-based policymaking, and inspired generations of professionals dedicated to serving their communities and pushing the boundaries of health, education and research.
“These rankings reflect not only the incredible talent housed within AKU but also the University’s steadfast dedication to fostering an environment of excellence,” said Dr Salim S. Virani, Vice Provost, Research, and Professor of Medicine, at AKU. “We have consistently invested in state-of-the-art research facilities and fostered collaborations with world-leading institutions to encourage the pursuit of quality and innovation in our research.”
The recognition also highlights Pakistan’s growing presence in global research and the calibre of scientists the country continues to produce through research-led institutions like AKU. By appearing in such global rankings, AKU strengthens its ability to attract collaborations, funding, and top talent, all of which help fulfil its mission of advancing education, health and development in Pakistan and the developing world.
Recognized for Single Recent Year Impact
This list highlights researchers based on their citations during the most recent calendar year, reflecting a high current impact:
Dr Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Dr Salim S. Virani
Dr Jai Kumar Das
Dr Salimah R. Walani
Dr Romaina Iqbal
Dr Farah Naz Qamar
Dr Sajid Bashir Soofi
Dr Junaid Abdul Razzak
Dr Syed Asad Ali
Dr Sarah Saleem
Dr Muhammad Imran Nisar
Dr Zubair Ahmad
Dr Rehana Rehman
Dr Syeda Sadia Fatima
Dr Waris Qidwai
Dr Zafar Ahmed Fatmi
Dr Tazeen Saeed Ali
Dr Russell Seth Martins
Dr Sameen Siddiqi
Dr Imran Rasheed Ahmed
Dr Fyezah Jehan
Recognized for Career-Long Impact
This list acknowledges researchers for the overall sustained impact of their work throughout their careers:
Dr Zulfiqar A. Bhutta
Dr Salim S. Virani
Dr Karim F. Damji
Dr Jai Kumar Das
Dr Romaina Iqbal
Dr Waris Qidwai
Dr Syed Asad Ali
Dr Afia Zafar
Dr Sajid Bashir Soofi
List of Names at TopSciNet
About AKU
Chartered in 1983, AKU is a private university that promotes human welfare through research, teaching and community service. Based on the principles of quality, access, impact and relevance, the University has campuses and programmes in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and the United Kingdom. It comprises teaching hospitals, Faculties of Health Sciences, Institutes for Educational Development, the AKU Examination Board, the Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations, the Graduate School of Media and Communications, the East Africa Institute, and the Institute for Human Development. Faculties of Arts and Sciences are to be established in Pakistan and East Africa. The University imbues promising future leaders and thinkers with an ethic of service and the skills to help communities solve their most pressing challenges. Admission to AKU is merit-based and need-blind.
AKU is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network, a group of private development agencies with mandates ranging from health and education to architecture, culture, microfinance, rural development, disaster reduction, the promotion of private-sector enterprise and the revitalisation of historic cities.
Source: Office of Strategic Communications, Aga Khan University
E. communications@aku.edu
Ismailimail 