PEKAN: 12 Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) lecturers have been listed as among the world's "Top 2% Scientist" in various fields and disciplines by Stanford University.
An elated UMP acting vice-chancellor Professor Datuk Dr Yuserrie Zainuddin described the feat as a recognition that will spur interaction between local and international researchers along with industries, intending to pursue academic excellence.
"It will pave the way to conduct research and create opportunities to solve global problems. Numerous successes achieved by UMP students and staff have boosted the university's image to a commendable level in terms of global higher education.
"UMP will always strive to strengthen its role as a technological university under the Malaysian Technical University Network (MTUN) and position itself to contribute towards the development of society and the country," he said in congratulating the UMP researchers.
Meanwhile, Yuserrie said the UMP Strategic Plan 2016-2020 has achieved various accolades and success at both the domestic, and global levels.
He said the strategic plan has placed UMP in the right direction towards continuously achieving success with six strategic objectives namely high-level TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training) excellence, innovation with industry collaboration, high-impact technology empowerment, financial sustainability, university ecosystem excellence and graduate entrepreneurship.
"UMP will continue to excel in research and innovation as part of the efforts to enhance UMP's technological capabilities through the number of high-impact inventions and discoveries or technologies that will benefit the community," he said.
The 12 UMP lecturers cited by the US-based prestigious university are Professor Dr Rizalman Mamat, Associate Professor Dr Wan Azmi Wan Hamzah, Professor Dr Md. Maksudur Rahman Khan, Professor Ts. Dr Md. Mustafizur Rahman and Ts. Dr Norazlianie Sazal (all from the Engineering College), Dr Sudhakar Kumarasamy and Associate Professor Ir. Ts. Dr K. Kumaran (both from the Mechanical and Automotive Engineering Technology faculty).
The others are UMP's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research & Innovation) Professor Ts. Dr Kamal Zuhairi Zamli and Associate Professor Dr Md. Arafatur Rahman (both from Computing faculty), Professor Dr Jose Rajan (Industrial Sciences and Technology faculty) and Professor Datuk Ts. Dr Zularisam Ab. Wahid (Civil Engineering Technology faculty).
Also on the list is the late Professor Datuk Dr Mashitah Mohd. Yusoff, who passed away on Jan 24 last year. She previously served at the Industrial Science and Technology faculty.
The world "Top 2% of Scientist" is a large database created by experts at Stanford University which ranks all the most-cited scientists from different fields to a sufficient ranking.