KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — A total of 124 Universiti Malaya (UM) researchers, including vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Seri Noor Azuan Abu Osman, have been named among the world’s top 2 per cent of scientists in the latest Stanford University–Elsevier global ranking.

The ranking, based on the single-year 2026 dataset, uses standardised citation-based indicators to identify influential scientists worldwide. It measures the impact of their published research within the international scientific community.

Noor Azuan, who is among those recognised, said the achievement showed that Malaysian scholarship could hold its own internationally.

“With 124 of our researchers recognised among the world’s leading scientists, Universiti Malaya is demonstrating that Malaysian scholarship can compete, lead and shape global scientific discourse.

“We are not content to follow the world’s intellectual frontiers. We aspire to redefine them,” he said in a statement.

He said international recognition came with a greater responsibility to ensure scientific advancement delivered meaningful and lasting impact.

“Our ambition is unequivocal: to transform research excellence into global influence, scientific discovery into human progress, and Malaysian talent into enduring global leadership.

“This recognition reflects not only the intellectual strength of our researchers, but also our collective responsibility to ensure that knowledge creates lasting impact,” he added.

UM said the recognition reflected its commitment to building world-class research talent and interdisciplinary collaboration. It said the achievement carried particular significance as the university marks its 121st anniversary this year.

The university said it would continue to nurture research talent, build partnerships with leading global institutions and industries, and turn its research into contributions to economic development, technological advancement and societal well-being.