Onlykashmir.in News Desk
The Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) at Awantipora has marked another milestone in research excellence, with seven of its scientists featuring in the 2026 edition of the World’s Top 2 Percent Scientists database, compiled by researchers associated with Stanford University and Elsevier.
The latest edition of the database was released on October 7, 2026. It is based on standardised citation indicators derived from Scopus data and offers a composite measure of research impact built from citations, authorship, co-authorship and other bibliometric parameters.
The IUST scientists featured in the 2026 list are Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice-Chancellor of the university; Dr Basharat Nabi Dar of the Department of Food Technology; Dr Shakeel Ahmad Khanday of the Department of Physics; Dr Mohd. Younus Bhat of the Department of Mathematical Sciences; Dr Aamir Hussain Dar of the Department of Food Technology; Dr Muzaffar Ahmad Macha of the Watson-Crick Centre for Molecular Medicine; and Dr Manzoor Ahmad Rather of the Department of Chemistry. Their inclusion, the university said, reflects the growing research impact of IUST faculty across diverse areas of science, technology and interdisciplinary research.
The achievement marks a steady rise in the university’s representation in the global database. IUST had one scientist featured in the 2024 edition, six in 2025 and now seven in 2026, which the university described as a sustained upward trajectory in its research visibility and citation impact. The recognition comes as the university expands its research ecosystem, with growing emphasis on quality publications, externally funded research, doctoral research, interdisciplinary collaboration and work that addresses contemporary societal and developmental challenges.
Congratulating the faculty members, Prof. Romshoo said the recognition was a matter of great pride for the university and reflected the sustained commitment of its faculty towards advancing research and knowledge. He appreciated the researchers for contributing to the growing international visibility of IUST.
Prof. Romshoo said the university is committed to creating an enabling environment for high quality and impactful research through stronger research infrastructure, interdisciplinary initiatives, externally funded projects and national and international collaborations. He added that the research priorities of IUST are increasingly aligned with emerging global challenges and the needs of society, and encouraged faculty and scholars to pursue research with both academic rigour and wider societal relevance.
The Stanford and Elsevier list is widely followed in academic circles as one indicator of research influence, as it ranks scientists across fields using citation based measures and is updated every year. Like any bibliometric exercise, it captures only part of what makes research valuable, and universities generally treat it as one signal alongside peer review, patents, funded projects and real world impact.
For a young university in the Kashmir Valley, the climb from one name in 2024 to seven in 2026 is notable. It suggests that researchers based in the region are increasingly publishing work that is read and cited internationally, a trend that could help attract research funding and talented students to Kashmir.
