A historic leap for Umm Al-Qura University's global research with a growth of 73%
Umm Al-Qura University has achieved an unprecedented academic milestone, recording a historic leap in global scientific research indicators with a growth exceeding 73% in research citations, according to data from the prestigious Scopus database. This significant progress enhances the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's academic standing on the international stage and strongly supports the transition towards a knowledge-based economy, in line with the objectives of Saudi Vision 2030.
Background of the achievement and its national context
Umm Al-Qura University, based in Makkah, was founded on a rich heritage dating back to 1949 with the establishment of the College of Sharia, the first institution of higher education in the Kingdom. Since becoming a fully-fledged university in 1981, it has continued to expand to encompass various scientific and humanities disciplines. This research achievement is the culmination of long-term strategic efforts aimed at aligning its educational and research outputs with Saudi Vision 2030, which places innovation and scientific research at the heart of its objectives to diversify the national economy and build a sustainable future.
Record numbers reflect the quality of scientific production
The recorded figures reflect the scale of the university's development. Over the past five years, the university has successfully completed and published 14,136 peer-reviewed scientific papers. The last year alone saw the publication of 5,523 indexed research papers, marking a record increase of 56% in scientific output compared to 2021. This growth was not only quantitative but also qualitative; the number of citations of the university's research jumped from approximately 216,000 to more than 374,000, a growth rate of 73%, which is a clear indication of the increasing global impact and scientific credibility of its research.
Quality of research outputs
In a practical demonstration of the quality of the output, the largest share of the university's research was published in Q1 journals, the highest quality, at 39.2%, followed by Q2 journals at 26.8%. More importantly, nearly one-fifth of the published research was ranked among the top 10% of the most influential research papers globally, highlighting the direct positive impact of national research efforts.
The importance and expected impact of the achievement
The impact of this achievement extends beyond simply raising the university's global ranking; it encompasses several vital aspects. Locally , it contributes to developing innovative solutions to national challenges, supplying the labor market with highly qualified professionals, and fostering a culture of research and innovation. Regionally , it solidifies the Kingdom's position as a leading center for scientific research in the Middle East. Internationally , it opens broader horizons for research collaboration with the world's most prestigious academic institutions and increases the university's appeal to international researchers and students.
Investing in national talent and innovation
The comprehensive academic movement extended to empowering national talent, through the appointment of 882 assistant professors, the promotion of 657 teaching assistants to the rank of lecturer, and the sending of 636 qualified individuals abroad to pursue postgraduate studies. In terms of innovation, the educational system culminated its efforts with the registration of 25 patents and trademarks, alongside a vibrant translation and publishing campaign that resulted in 20 scientific books enriching the Arabic library with the latest human knowledge.
