Three Professor from the University of Bahrain on Stanford’s list of most cited scholarly research for the year 2020

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Stanford University recently released a list comprising the top 2 % of scholars whose research was most-cited worldwide. The list included three professors from the University of Bahrain.

The list pointed out the distinguished international researchers with frequent citations of published research, two from the College of Science at the University of Bahrain. Dr. Aqeel Aziz Dakhil, Associate Professor of Solid-State Physics, and Dr. Nasser Metwally from the Department of Mathematics, as well as Prof. Dr. Mehmet Polat Saka from the Civil Engineering Department of the College of Engineering.

Commenting on the news, the President of the University of Bahrain, Prof. Dr. Riyad Hamzah said, “The University congratulates the three professors for being among the elite researchers in the world whose scientific research is being intensively cited. Moreover, the University is continuing its policy of stimulating scientific research to serve Bahrain’s 2030 vision and is taking steps that will lead to a complete realization of that vision.”

Prof. Dr. Hamzah said that the research activity in the University is on a rise, as the annual average of published research in English reached 460 publications. Despite the pandemic, last year witnessed an increase in specialized conferences. Most conferences looked into several scientific specialties with the correlation of different sciences, for example, the conference on rights, conference on smart cities, and others.”

He stressed that the University of Bahrain provides scientific research with a nurturing environment to encourage its faculty to find solutions and conduct more research focusing on vital development issues that relate to the Kingdom of Bahrain and the region. The University is also expanding its solid scientific research-based graduate studies programs. The research programs discuss local and regional issues, and this is what makes the University of Bahrain the largest source of refereed scientific research in the kingdom.

Stanford University publishes an annual list of “leading scientists” whose research has been cited in research publications worldwide, indicating the strength and originality of the research, whether it is individual or joint research. The scientists are categorized into 22 scientific fields divided into 176 subfields, including all scholars who published at least five scientific papers. This survey was conducted in late 2019.

The Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at the University of Bahrain, Dr. Mohammed Redha Qadar said regarding the report, “Stanford University is considered one of the first-class universities worldwide and being that three faculty members – who are among the best in their field – from the University of Bahrain got on the list is something to be proud of. It also calls for greater work on implementing the University’s development plan, especially scientific research, which gives support to providing appropriate solutions to issues and challenges related to sustainability in the region, such as renewable energy, water, and food security. The University has applied its current capabilities and its distinctive regional role in focusing its research activities on these priorities through international corporations and interacting with related authorities in the region.”

The Dean added that the plan regarding scientific research is focused on activities related to priorities in the industrial, economic, different social, and governmental sectors. Multiple, cross-disciplinary research groups in colleges such as the College of Engineering, College of Information Technology, College of Science, College of Business Administration, Bahrain Teachers college, and the College of Health and Sport Sciences were created to achieve this plan.

Dr. Mohammed Qadar said that this deanship – together with all colleges – are following a research approach consistent with the University of Bahrain’s research capabilities, national priorities, and economic challenges. He added that a large segment of the faculty is being provided with the latest emerging scientific research skills.

Dr. Dakhil -who produced 160 research papers ranked 29732 among the world’s scholars-, was the most advanced researcher in the kingdom of Bahrain. Followed by Dr. Nasser Metwally who ranked 94180 with 81 research papers. Finally, Prof. Dr. Mehmet Saka ranked 120339 worldwide and produced 89 research papers.