On March 25, Elsevier officially unveiled the 2024 *Highly Cited Chinese Researchers* list, recognizing 6,388 scholars from 547 universities, enterprises, and research institutions across 83 primary disciplines within 10 major academic fields defined by the Ministry of Education.
Professor Qin Qinghua, Dean of the Institute of Advanced Cross-Cutting Technologies, and Senior Lecturer IQBAL MUHAMMAD FARRUKH from the Department of Economics at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University (SMBU) were distinguished as top-cited scholars in the fields of *Engineering-Mechanics* and *Management Science and Engineering*, respectively.
The Elsevier ranking leverages the Scopus database—a globally authoritative citation and indexing system—to evaluate the research output of Chinese scholars. Developed in collaboration with Shanghai Rank Consultancy, the 2024 edition marks the 11th annual release of this prestigious list, which has garnered significant attention from academia and media worldwide. Elsevier provides data support and technical implementation for the ranking.
Beyond serving as a key metric for institutional academic influence, the list aims to deepen insights into China's research talent distribution and disciplinary strengths. It maps the core competitiveness of universities and research institutions in critical technological domains, offering data-driven decision support for talent strategy and discipline development. Additionally, the ranking highlights emerging trends and methodological innovations in high-impact research.
Introduction to the Distinguished Scholar from the Department of Economics：
Dr. IQBAL MUHAMMAD FARRUKH is currently a senior lecturer in the Department of Economics at Shenzhen MSU-BIT University. His research spans entrepreneurship, industrial-organizational psychology, and sustainable business practices, with a particular emphasis on advancing environmental responsibility aligned with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
As a prolific scholar, he has published over 40 papers in SSCI-indexed journals, most as first author, establishing a lasting impact in his field. Additionally, he has authored case studies for Harvard Business Publishing, effectively bridging academic theory with real-world business challenges.
Beyond research and teaching, Dr. Farooq serves as an Associate Editor for *Business Ethics, the Environment & Responsibility* and *Vision: The Journal of Business Perspective*, as well as a guest editor for multiple academic journals. His interdisciplinary contributions reinforce SMBU's commitment to cutting-edge, socially impactful scholarship.
