Once Again, Two UIN Jakarta Professors Named to the World’s Top 2% Scientists List for 2026
Jakarta, UIN Online News – Two academics from Syarif Hidayatullah State Islamic University Jakarta (UIN Jakarta), Prof. Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem and Prof. Saiful Mujani, have been included in the World’s Top 2% Scientists 2026 list in the annual citation impact category. This achievement highlights UIN Jakarta academics’ contributions to research that informs and influences the international scholarly community.
According to TOPSCINET data, Prof. Maila Dinia Husni Rahiem has appeared on the list for four consecutive years, from 2023 through 2026. She ranks second in the education subfield and third in the social sciences field among researchers affiliated with Indonesian institutions included in the ranking. Globally, she is among the top 1.2% of researchers in education.
A professor specializing in early childhood education and social welfare, Maila conducts research on children’s lives, resilience, disaster experiences, and the use of technology in learning. Her work connects social issues with educational development and efforts to improve community safety.
One of her studies examines women’s vulnerability during the 2004 Aceh tsunami. Coauthored with Robin Ersing of the University of South Florida, the article was published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction in 2021. The study explored the experiences of 27 survivors who were children at the time of the disaster, including how family responsibilities, social norms, and safety awareness influenced women’s vulnerability.
The study was subsequently referenced by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) in materials for the 2023 World Tsunami Awareness Day campaign. This recognition illustrates how research grounded in Indonesian communities’ experiences can contribute to international discussions on disaster risk reduction.
In early childhood education, Maila also authored the article Storytelling in Early Childhood Education: Time to Go Digital, which examines the use of technology to support storytelling-based learning. The study highlights the importance of teachers’ ability to use technology effectively to encourage children’s active participation and engagement in learning.
Alongside her academic responsibilities, Maila serves as Special Advisor to the Minister of Primary and Secondary Education for STEM Development and Teacher Competency Enhancement. This role connects her research experience with efforts to improve the quality of classroom instruction.
Meanwhile, Prof. Saiful Mujani is known for his research in political science, public opinion, voting behavior, and democratization. A professor of political science at UIN Jakarta’s Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP), he conducts survey-based research to examine the relationships among society, religion, and democracy.
Through Saiful Mujani Research and Consulting (SMRC), which he founded in 2011, Saiful has helped advance public opinion research at both the national and regional levels. The research covers voting preferences and changing patterns in public aspirations.
In academia, Saiful also contributes through teaching applied quantitative methods and mentoring emerging researchers. His work demonstrates that academic contributions extend beyond scholarly publications to include research capacity building and the development of the next generation of scholars.
Strengthening Indonesia’s Global Research Contributions
Nationally, TOPSCINET recorded 272 scientists affiliated with Indonesian institutions on its 2026 annual list. This represents an increase from 92 scientists in 2023, 150 in 2024, and 209 in 2025.
The World’s Top 2% Scientists list is based on a citation-indicator database developed by John P. A. Ioannidis of Stanford University and published through the Elsevier Data Repository. The annual category in the 2026 update uses citation data from 2025. Its composite indicators account for citation impact and authorship to assess the influence of scholarly work.
Rector of UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta, Prof. Asep Saepudin Jahar, M.A., Ph.D., welcomed the achievements of the two academics. He said the international recognition was a source of pride and motivation for the university community to continue improving research quality and scholarly publications.
“This achievement is a source of pride and deserves recognition. We hope that the accomplishments of Prof. Maila and Prof. Saiful will inspire our academic community to continue producing high-quality research that benefits society and contributes to the advancement of knowledge worldwide,” he said.
The rector added that the achievement should encourage UIN Jakarta to further strengthen research quality, scholarly publishing, and the mentoring of early-career researchers. Research on early childhood education, women’s safety, and democracy demonstrates how universities can produce knowledge that addresses societal needs while contributing to international academic discourse.
(Center for Information and Public Relations, Institute for Research and Community Engagement, UIN Syarif Hidayatullah Jakarta)