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Ahmadul Kobir, Malaysia: Bangladeshi academic Professor Dr. Shafiq Siddiquee, currently working in Malaysia, has earned international recognition for his sustained contributions to research and innovation, being named among the world’s top 2% of scientists for five consecutive years from 2020 to 2024.
The recognition came through Stanford University’s annual list of the world’s leading scientists, highlighting researchers whose work has made a significant impact in their respective fields.
Over the course of his research career, Dr. Shafiq Siddiquee has published 150 research papers, including 108 in high-impact-factor journals, 22 in non-impact-factor journals and 20 in non-indexed publications. He also holds four patents and four trademarks and has presented 39 research papers at international conferences, symposiums and workshops.
During his tenure at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS), Dr Shafik taught 12 courses at undergraduate and master’s levels and supervised 27 students pursuing PhD and MSc research. Of them, 25 have already completed their postgraduate degrees, while the remaining students are continuing their research.
He has received 37 research grants at national and international levels, eight of which are directly linked to community and industrial sectors.
The impact of his research is also reflected in his citation record. He currently has an h-index of 33 in Scopus and 40 in Google Scholar.
At the 22nd Malaysia International Halal Showcase (MIHAS), one of Malaysia’s largest halal trade exhibitions, Dr Shafik participated in the Bangladesh Pavilion at the invitation of the Bangladesh High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, where he showcased his research-based products, ‘VIVIFY’ and ‘TREAL’.
The High Commission’s initiative was aimed at encouraging Bangladeshi academics working in Malaysia to share their expertise and experiences and inspire others through their achievements.
Speaking about his research journey and achievements at the MIHAS exhibition, Dr Shafik urged young researchers to remain determined and consistent in pursuing their goals.
“You can go much further than you think you are capable of. Strengthen your determination and keep your efforts continuous and consistent. If you remain committed to your goal, you will eventually reach it,” he said.
In recognition of his contributions to science and research, Dr. Shafiq Siddiquee has served as a keynote speaker at 25 national and international events and received 70 awards for his research and innovations.
Among his notable honours are the SE Kinabalu Innovation Award from Sabah, Special and Gold Awards at the fourth edition of the Korea Invention Academy in 2020, an iENA award in Germany in 2021, the Ministry of Higher Education’s Entrepreneurship Project Award in 2015, and Gold Medals at PECIPTA 2015 and 2019 and ITEX 2019.
In 2014, he received the Prosper-Net-Scopus Young Scientist Award. In 2017, he was listed among the top five authors with the highest number of publications based on publications and citations in journals indexed by ISI and Scopus.
In 2026, Dr. Shafiq Siddiquee received UMS’s highest Citation Award in the Science and Technology category for publications in Scopus-indexed journals. He had earlier received UMS Excellent Service Awards in 2012 and 2021. In 2010, he was recognised as the Best Postgraduate Student at Universiti Putra Malaysia.
Dr Shafik’s work extends beyond academic publications and awards. He has been actively involved in translating research findings into practical applications and commercialising research-based innovations.
Some of his research-derived products have already reached the market, demonstrating a pathway from academic research and innovation to industry and consumers.
His consecutive inclusion in Stanford University’s list of the world’s top 2% of scientists from 2020 to 2024 represents significant international recognition of his research achievements.
Through his contributions to teaching, research, innovation and the commercialisation of research-based products, Dr. Shafiq Siddiquee has emerged as an example of the contribution Bangladeshi academics are making to Malaysia’s higher education and research sector.
His research and innovations have also been featured on Malaysia’s national television channels TV1, TV2 and TV7, while various Malaysian news outlets and newspapers have reported on his research findings and innovations.