Recognised in the SciRank Global Scientist Index 2025, Prof Ts Dr Murali Raman exemplifies how academic leadership, human-centred innovation and impactful research at APU can contribute to the advancement of knowledge worldwide.

Asia Pacific University of Technology & Innovation (APU) is proud to celebrate another milestone in its growing research journey, with its Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development & Strategy), Prof Ts Dr Murali Raman, recognised among the World’s Top 5% Scientists in the SciRank Global Scientist Index 2025. 

The recognition places Prof Murali within the top five per cent of active researchers evaluated by SciRank Global. The 2025 index examined more than eight million researcher profiles and 20 million scholarly works from over 150 countries, using data sourced from the OpenAlex research database. Only researchers within the top five per cent based on their Normalised Composite Score qualified for certification. 

Officially released by SciRank Global on 23 November 2025, the index was developed through an independent bibliometric assessment. Its methodology considers indicators of scholarly productivity, citation influence, research continuity and authorship contribution, while applying field and career-stage normalisation to enable fairer comparisons among researchers. 

As SciRank Global states, its guiding principle is that a researcher’s position should reflect their contribution to human knowledge. 

Scholarship Connected to Real-World Change 

Prof Murali’s recognition reflects his sustained research contributions in digital transformation, Information Systems Management and Design Thinking—fields that are increasingly important as organisations, universities and societies respond to technological and social change.

His academic work is distinguished not only by the creation of knowledge but also by its practical application. Through research, professional engagement and leadership development, he has consistently championed approaches that place people, purpose and inclusion at the centre of transformation. 

Widely known within APU as its “Design Thinking Guru”, Prof Murali has brought Design Thinking beyond the classroom by applying it to leadership, institutional strategy, innovation and problem-solving. He is also experienced in areas including digital strategy, mindset transformation, communication and emotional drivers, helping learners and professionals approach complex challenges with empathy and creativity. 

A Rhodes Scholar, Fulbright Fellow and Stanford University-certified Design Thinker, Prof Murali embodies the connection between academic excellence and meaningful societal impact. His work demonstrates that research becomes most valuable when it helps people understand change, make better decisions and design more inclusive futures. 

Leading APU’s Academic Transformation 

As Deputy Vice-Chancellor overseeing Academic Development and Strategy, Prof Murali plays an influential role in shaping APU’s academic direction and strengthening its culture of innovation, inclusion and continuous improvement. 

His leadership supports the University’s efforts to ensure that academic programmes remain relevant to an evolving global environment while encouraging educators to explore new approaches to teaching, learning and research. 

He has also represented APU in international and industry platforms, contributing perspectives on human-centred digital leadership, global responsibility, educational innovation and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies. In these engagements, he has emphasised that transformation should not be driven by technology alone, but by a clear understanding of human needs and values.

This recognition therefore represents more than an individual achievement. It sets an inspiring example for APU’s faculty members, emerging researchers and postgraduate students by showing how academic leadership can be reinforced through active scholarship and research with practical relevance.

Inspiring APU’s Research Community

“I am deeply honoured to be recognised in the SciRank Global Scientist Index 2025. I receive this recognition not only as a personal milestone, but also as an affirmation of the research culture that APU continues to build,” said Prof Murali. 

“I hope this achievement encourages our emerging researchers, postgraduate students and established academics to remain curious, collaborate across disciplines and pursue questions that matter. 

“It demonstrates that impactful research conducted within APU can gain international visibility and contribute meaningfully to global scientific advancement. With purpose, perseverance and a willingness to share knowledge, every researcher has the potential to make a difference.”

Advancing Knowledge Together 

Prof Murali’s achievement reflects APU’s unwavering commitment to nurturing a vibrant research ecosystem built upon innovation, scholarly excellence, industry relevance, mentorship and global engagement. 

It is also a testament to what can be achieved when a university invests in collaboration and creates opportunities for researchers to translate ideas into outcomes that benefit society. 

As APU advances towards greater research distinction, the University believes that excellence is not an individual pursuit alone. It emerges from a collective commitment to curiosity, knowledge creation and continuous improvement. 

May this recognition inspire the entire APU community to aim higher, collaborate more widely and produce research that creates a lasting difference for society and the world.