Four researchers from Al-Quds University have been included in the 2026 list of the world’s top 2% most influential scientists, compiled based on data from Stanford University and the Elsevier database, in recognition of their research impact and scientific contributions to their respective fields.
The list includes Professor Dr. Radwan Al-Qasrawi and Professor Dr. Fouad Rimawi from the Faculty of Science and Technology, Professor Dr. Ziad Abdeen from the Faculty of Medicine, and researcher Zainab Barijieh from the Faculty of Pharmacy. This achievement reflects the diversity of scientific research at the University and the presence of its researchers within the international academic community.
Al-Quds University President Prof. Dr. Imad Abu Kishek congratulated the researchers on this achievement and commended their scholarly contributions and the impact of their research. He noted that this distinction reflects the University’s commitment to advancing its research system, empowering its faculty members and students, and fostering an environment that encourages the production and development of knowledge. These efforts contribute to consolidating the University’s academic standing and strengthening its presence at both the regional and international levels. He also expressed his wishes for the researchers’ continued progress and success in their scientific careers.
For her part, Dean of Scientific Research at Al-Quds University Professor Dr. Ilham Al-Khatib stated, “We are proud that four of our colleagues have been included in this global list, which recognizes the impact their research has on advancing knowledge in their respective fields. The significance of this achievement lies in highlighting the extent to which the scientific community benefits from our researchers’ work and builds upon it, while also strengthening Al-Quds University’s international profile and creating opportunities for collaboration with international research institutions. It also serves as an incentive to continue supporting scientific research and fostering an environment that enables academics and students to produce rigorous, impactful research that responds to our community’s priorities and contributes to global knowledge.”
The Stanford–Elsevier list is one of the global indicators used to assess scientists’ research impact. It draws on citation data from the Scopus database and employs composite indicators that account for multiple dimensions, including citations to research publications and researchers’ contributions to scientific authorship.
The list comprises two main classifications: career-long research impact and single-year research impact. The researchers’ inclusion in the 2026 annual-impact category serves as an indicator of the visibility and influence of their research within their respective scientific fields.
This distinction comes amid Al-Quds University’s growing academic and research presence. The University continues to strengthen its position in international rankings, having maintained its first-place position among Palestinian universities for the sixth consecutive year according to the QS World University Rankings. This reflects its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and scientific research and expand its academic impact at both the regional and international levels.
