KARACHI: Over two dozen scholars from the Aga Khan University (AKU) have been named among the World's Top 2% Scientists List for 2024 by Stanford University. The list includes faculty members and alumni from Pakistan whose research continues to shape health, education, and other critical sectors in the developing world.
The annual list, regarded as one of the world’s most respected benchmarks, identifies leading researchers across a wide range of disciplines, including healthcare services and delivery, education, climate science, economics, mental health, and the wellbeing of vulnerable groups such as women and children. Rankings are based on standardized citation data from Elsevier’s Scopus database, which measures scientific influence through academic citations and the quality of peer-reviewed journals where the research appears.
From Pakistan, more than 20 distinguished individuals from AKU have made it to this year’s list. Among them are Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta, Dr. Salim S. Virani, Dr. Romaina Iqbal, and Dr. Jai Kumar Das — scholars whose work has made a lasting impact on improving the quality of life in Pakistan and beyond. Many hold key leadership positions at national and international agencies, representing the breadth of excellence and dedication that defines AKU’s global reputation.
Collectively, AKU’s research has influenced 5,347 policy documents in 25 countries, including those of the World Health Organization (WHO), World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and UNICEF. Their groundbreaking work has advanced standards of care, strengthened evidence-based policymaking, and inspired future generations of professionals devoted to public service and innovation in health, education, and research.
“These rankings reflect not only the incredible talent housed within AKU but also the University’s steadfast dedication to fostering an environment of excellence,” said Dr. Salim S. Virani, Vice Provost (Research) and Professor of Medicine at AKU. “We have consistently invested in state-of-the-art research facilities and fostered collaborations with world-leading institutions to encourage the pursuit of quality and innovation in our research.”
The recognition also underscores Pakistan’s growing footprint in global research and the calibre of scientists produced by research-driven institutions like AKU. By achieving such global distinctions, AKU continues to strengthen its capacity to attract collaborations, funding, and exceptional talent — advancing its mission of promoting education, health, and development across Pakistan and the developing world.
