Four senior academics from INTI International University have been recognised in SciRank Global’s World’s Top 5% Scientists list. This international benchmark evaluates researchers based on publication quality, citation impact, and scientific influence within their fields.
INTI International University’s Prof Dr Wong Ling Shing, Prof Dr Goh Khang Wen, Prof Dr Shamsul Nahar Abdullah, and Prof Dr Amran Md Rasli have been recognised in SciRank Global’s World’s Top 5% Scientists list.
They are Prof Dr Wong Ling Shing, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Research and Innovation; Prof Dr Goh Khang Wen, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Global Engagement; Prof Dr Shamsul Nahar Abdullah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Academic Operations; and Prof Dr Amran Md Rasli, Professor from the Faculty of Business and Communication.
SciRank Global is an independent international scientometric benchmarking body that identifies top-ranked researchers using data from OpenAlex, the world’s largest open research database. Its assessment covers more than eight million researchers and 20 million research works, using a field-normalised score to evaluate contribution within specific disciplines.
The listing places the four senior academics among researchers whose work has gained measurable influence beyond their own institution. It also comes at a time when universities are expected to produce research that is not only published, but relevant to industry, society, and students.
Prof Dr Wong said the recognition provides an external measure of INTI’s research progress.
“It serves as an objective, data-driven affirmation that our faculty are not just publishing research but are producing work that influences and advances their respective fields on a global scale,” he said.
He added that the achievement strengthens INTI’s academic reputation and ability to attract talent and research funding, following the university’s long-term investment in building a sustainable research ecosystem.
While rankings and citations help measure scholarly influence, Prof Dr Wong said research must also be assessed by how it responds to challenges faced by communities, industries, and the environment.
“While rankings and citations are important metrics of scholarly influence, impactful research is defined by its ability to solve real-world challenges,” he said.
SciRank Global identifies top-ranked researchers using data from OpenAlex, the world’s largest open research database. Its assessment covers more than eight million researchers and 20 million research works, using a field-normalised score to evaluate contribution within specific disciplines.
“It is research that moves beyond the laboratory and the library to create meaningful change for communities, industries and the environment. At INTI, we call this purposeful research.”
That focus is supported by the University’s five Environmental, Social and Governance-focused research centres, which are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The centres support interdisciplinary collaboration in sustainable technologies, health and wellbeing, environmental sustainability, digital innovation, and business transformation.
The university also translates research into practical applications through initiatives such as the INTI Innovation Gallery, which displays industry-linked projects and prototypes developed through collaboration between researchers and external partners.
According to Prof Dr Wong, universities have a responsibility to ensure that research does not remain confined to journals and conferences but contributes to practical solutions for industry and society.
He said this includes facilitating industry partnerships to secure collaborative grants, supporting innovative research, hosting platforms such as the International Conference on Green Sustainable Technology and Management, and redesigning learning spaces to support both education and research activities.
This research culture is also relevant to students. According to Prof Dr Shamsul, studying at a research-active university gives students an education that is current, innovative, and informed by emerging research rather than relying solely on textbooks.
According to Prof Dr Shamsul Nahar Abdullah, Pro Vice-Chancellor of Academic Operations at INTI International University, studying at a research-active university gives students an education informed by emerging research, helping them build employability, adaptability, and readiness to address complex challenges.
He said this exposure helps graduates strengthen their employability, adaptability, and readiness to address complex challenges in their future careers.
The listing of the four academics highlights the broader role universities play in connecting research with teaching, industry collaboration, and practical problem-solving