Data from the 2025 ScholarGPS assessment has recognized the publication impact of LAU faculty, identifying the institution as a significant contributor to research in specialized fields.

The report, which tracks academic productivity and citation metrics, underscores a period of high output for the university. This performance over the past five years distinguishes LAU as the top-performing institution within the national academic landscape for that period.

The assessment highlights specific areas where LAU faculty have generated high-impact work. According to ScholarGPS, the university’s research output over the last five years places it in the lead position globally for several niche specialties, including: Investment; Environmental Resource Management; Economic Growth and Globalization; Cross-cultural Studies; Equity (Finance); and Carbon Neutrality.

Lifetime data analysis further points to the university’s contributions in Technological Innovation and Environmental Degradation, alongside a top-five global placement in Energy Consumption research.

The “Highly Ranked Scholars™” designation by ScholarGPS notes authors with exceptional publication and citation records. The latest data identifies several LAU faculty members as leaders in their respective disciplines.

Dr. Muhammad Umar, associate professor of finance at the Adnan Kassar School of Business (AKSOB), was identified as the top scholar globally in the field of Finance, with an overall ranking of 75th across all fields.

Dr.  Dervis Kirikkaleli, associate professor at AKSOB, was noted for ranking sixth worldwide in Economics and 49th across all disciplines. Additionally, Dr. Elie Bouri, professor of finance, ranked 14th globally in Economics and led the specific specialty of Petroleum research.

The report also recognized the output of Dr. Zulqurnain Sabir, assistant professor of mathematics, and Dr. Azzam Mourad, professor of computer science, from the School of Arts and Sciences, citing their significant contributions to their fields.

University leadership indicated that these metrics reflected a continued focus on relevant, high-quality research despite external challenges.

“These results demonstrate LAU’s commitment to recruiting and retaining faculty who are advancing their respective fields and addressing complex global challenges through research,” said Dean of Graduate Studies and Research Samer Saab.

Provost George E. Nasr noted the broader implications of the data. “These latest ScholarGPS rankings reflect both the productivity of our faculty and the university’s sustained engagement with fields that address pressing economic, environmental and societal challenges,” he said. “Achieving this level of international standing amid regional complexities speaks to the resilience, dedication, and collective effort of our academic community.”