Recent Ceremony Highlights UAEU's Commitment to Research Excellence

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU), the nation's flagship higher education institution, recently hosted a prestigious ceremony to celebrate its faculty members, researchers, and students who have published groundbreaking work in the top 1% of leading international journals. Held at the UAEU Library Auditorium in Al Ain on February 23, 2026, the event underscored the university's pivotal role in advancing scientific innovation and knowledge production in the United Arab Emirates.

Attended by university leadership, academics, and scholars, the gathering was presided over by key figures including Prof. Ahmed Murad Al-Mansoori, Chairman of the UAEU Board of Trustees, and Prof. Ghassan A. AlRegib, Acting Director of the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects. Prof. Hamdi Telfah, Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies, emphasized that this recognition reflects UAEU's unwavering dedication to fostering a culture of high-impact research.

In 2025 alone, UAEU researchers produced over 2,600 peer-reviewed papers, with an impressive 14% appearing in journals ranked in the top 1% based on metrics like Scopus CiteScore percentiles or SCImago Journal Rank (SJR). This milestone not only boosts the university's global standing but also contributes significantly to the UAE's vision of becoming a knowledge-based economy.

UAEU's Impressive Research Trajectory and Milestones

Established in 1976, UAEU has evolved into a research powerhouse. Just this January 2026, it became the first UAE-based institution to surpass 30,000 Scopus-indexed publications, a testament to its sustained growth. Of these, 77.7% are journal articles, highlighting a focus on high-quality, disseminated knowledge.

Historically, UAEU has maintained an annual tradition of honoring top performers. For instance, in previous years, ceremonies recognized dozens of papers in elite journals across disciplines. The 2023-2024 annual report noted notable publications addressing United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aligning research with national priorities like sustainability and health.

The College of Science (COS) leads internally, topping UAEU colleges in funding for top-tier publications (1%, 10%, 25% journals) for multiple years. This year’s event builds on that, spotlighting contributions from diverse fields including engineering, medicine, and environmental sciences.

• Over 25,000 Scopus papers by mid-2024, now exceeding 30,000.
• 30.4% of 2023 publications in top 10 most-cited journals per SJR.
• Consistent top rankings in UAE for patents and citations.

Such achievements position UAEU as a leader in United Arab Emirates higher education, inspiring peers like Khalifa University and Abu Dhabi University.

Understanding Top 1% Journals: Metrics and Prestige

Publishing in the top 1% of international journals signifies exceptional impact. These rankings, derived from Scopus or Web of Science, use CiteScore percentiles—where a journal's position is calculated relative to others in its subject category based on citations over a four-year window.

For example, a top 1% journal like Nature or The Lancet receives disproportionate citations, influencing global policy and practice. UAEU's criteria mirror this: papers must rank in the uppermost echelon per discipline-specific lists.

The process involves rigorous peer review, novelty, and methodological rigor. Step-by-step, authors submit, undergo multiple revisions, and if accepted, gain visibility through high-impact factor journals (often >20). This recognition at UAEU incentivizes such pursuits via monetary awards and prestige.

In the UAE context, where research output has surged 300% in a decade per government reports, these publications elevate national R&D from 1.49% to over 2% of GDP targets.

Faculty Achievements Driving UAEU's Research Leadership

Faculty members form the backbone of UAEU's success. While specific 2026 honorees' names are emerging, past ceremonies spotlighted experts like those in computer engineering recognized as Clarivate Highly Cited Researchers 2025—top 1% globally.

Dr. Mohamed Amine Ferrag from the College of Information Technology (CIT), for instance, earned this in Cross-Field category, exemplifying interdisciplinary prowess. Faculty papers often tackle UAE-relevant challenges: water scarcity, AI ethics, renewable energy.

Benefits include research funding boosts, promotion priority, and international collaborations. One faculty noted in prior events: "This honor validates years of dedication, enabling bolder projects."

UAEU's strategy—hiring global talent, state-of-art labs—yields results. In 2025, UAEU ranked 67th worldwide for U.S. utility patents, first in UAE.

Photo by Pourya Gohari on Unsplash

Researchers and Postdocs: Unsung Heroes of Innovation

Postdoctoral researchers and principal investigators push boundaries. UAEU's Office of Research supports them via grants exceeding AED millions annually.

Recognized works span biomedicine (e.g., cancer genomics) to engineering (smart materials). A 2024-2025 COS report highlighted 14% top 1% papers, 70% Q1.

• Interdisciplinary teams addressing SDGs.
• Collaborations with industry like Masdar City.
• High citation rates amplifying UAE visibility.

This cohort's output fuels patents—UAEU leads UAE with dozens yearly—translating to economic gains in diversified sectors beyond oil.

Student Contributions: Nurturing Future Leaders

Inclusivity shines as students join honors. Undergraduate theses and graduate works in top journals are rare gems, often co-authored with mentors.

2023 saw 27 student-led publications, per reports. The ceremony motivates via scholarships like UAEU Graduate Scholarship 2026—full tuition, stipends.

Programs like Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) demystify publishing: ideation, experimentation, submission. Graduates enter higher ed jobs or industry prepared.

Leadership Insights and Strategic Vision

Prof. Telfah stated: "UAEU’s commitment to research excellence positions us as pioneers." Chairman Al-Mansoori praised alignment with UAE Centennial 2071 goals.

Amid UAEU's 50th Jubilee (inaugurated Feb 11, 2026), this fits celebrations of half-century impact.

Broader Impacts on UAE Higher Education and Economy

UAEU sets benchmarks: Abu Dhabi University hit 5,000 Scopus papers recently. Nationally, UAE ranks high in Arab QS, driven by such excellence.

Impacts: policy influence (e.g., sustainability), job creation in R&D, attracting talent. Top publications draw funding—UAEU's 2025 output rivals globals.

Cultural context: UAE's post-oil pivot emphasizes knowledge, with 70+ universities investing billions.

Photo by Rob Cast on Unsplash

Challenges, Solutions, and Future Outlook

Challenges: competition, funding pressures. Solutions: UAEU's incentives, open-access pushes, AI tools for analysis.

Outlook: Target 40,000 papers by 2030, more patents. Initiatives like UAE Research Program amplify.

• AI integration in publishing workflows.
• Inter-university consortia.
• Global partnerships (e.g., Horizon Europe).

Career Opportunities and Next Steps for Aspiring Researchers

For those inspired, UAEU offers research jobs, postdocs. Explore Rate My Professor for mentors, career advice.

Submit to Scopus Q1 journals, leverage UAEU's writing centers. UAE's R&D boom means opportunities abound.

Stay tuned for full honoree list; this ceremony reaffirms UAEU's trajectory.