Interview Times 
BHUBANESWAR: Amid recent concerns over criminal activities affecting the image of Rourkela, the city now has something to celebrate. In a remarkable achievement for academic excellence, 25 faculty members from the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Rourkela have been named among the top 2% ‘Most Cited Scientists’ globally in the prestigious Stanford University-Elsevier research survey.
The survey, which ranks scientists in two categories – Career-Long Impact (1996-2023) and Single-Year Impact for 2023 – has acknowledged the contributions of NIT Rourkela’s faculty in both categories. Fifteen faculty members were recognized for their long-term research contributions, while 25 members were honored for their citations in 2023.
Notably, 13 faculty members achieved recognition on both lists, reflecting the sustained and impactful nature of their research. The ranking evaluates scientists based on various academic parameters, including their citation index and the influence of their work, making it one of the most respected assessments in the global academic community.
The Stanford-Elsevier ranking system evaluates researchers across 22 scientific fields and 174 sub-fields, using the ScienceMetrix classification system. This approach ensures a comprehensive and fair assessment of scientists’ long-term and recent contributions to their fields.
Reacting to the institute’s success, NIT Rourkela Director, Prof. K Umamaheshwar Rao, expressed his pride in the faculty’s accomplishments. “I extend my heartfelt congratulations to our faculty members for their remarkable research contributions and high-impact publications that have established benchmarks in their fields. This achievement highlights our institution’s commitment to excellence in research and showcases the significant global impact of our faculty’s work.”
