As part of its ongoing efforts to elevate the level of scientific research and strengthen its position globally, the University of Information Technology and Communications organized a scientific seminar titled “The Researcher’s Mission: Transforming Academic Reputation into a Global Ranking”.

The seminar was delivered by Dr. Qusay Shihab Hamad, Head of the Global Rankings Unit in the university’s Quality Assurance Department. He presented a detailed, data-driven analysis of the weighting criteria used in major global university rankings, particularly the Times Higher Education (THE) and the QS World University Rankings.

The analysis showed that more than two-thirds of the total weighting in these rankings is directly linked to the output and quality of the academic researcher. It emphasized that achieving leadership requires the researcher to become an opinion maker in their field. The seminar highlighted the importance of publishing research in Scopus Q1/Q2 journals to enhance quality and increase citation impact. It also addressed the challenges faced by the region in securing representation within expert surveys and presented a practical roadmap for strengthening international collaboration and academic visibility.

The seminar concluded by emphasizing that becoming a global opinion leader requires every individual in the university to embrace academic leadership within their field, translate their scientific output into globally influential value, and ensure the continuous enhancement of academic standing both locally and internationally. This, in turn, reflects the university’s growing achievements and its excellence in global rankings compared to older, more established institutions.