At first glance, Prof Ts Dr Norazah Mohd Suki looks like any other soft-spoken academic, gentle voice, warm smile, humble energy. But behind that calm presence lies a powerhouse of discipline and impact.
This Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) Kuala Lumpur Campus professor has etched her name in history as the first Malaysian woman to be ranked among the world’s top two per cent of scientists for seven consecutive years, from 2019 to 2025.
‘Career-long World’s Top 2% Scientists’, compiled by Stanford University in collaboration with Elsevier, analysed data from more than nine million researchers worldwide, yet only about 100,000 made the final cut. Each scientist was evaluated through rigorous, data-driven metrics, including research citations, H-index, international collaborations, and lead authorship roles.
Prof Norazah currently ranks 167th in the world in the field of Business and Management, and 5,173rd overall among the 100,000 high-impact scientists globally.
For her, this recognition is far more than a personal triumph.
“When I found out I was listed for the seventh time, I felt deeply grateful, not just for myself, but for Malaysia. It proves that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with the best scientists in the world.”
Prof Norazah Sets a New Record for Malaysian Scientists
In the world of social sciences and management, where citations don’t come as easily, Norazah’s numbers are astonishing.
She has an H-Index of 39, more than 196 published papers, and over 5,000 citations. That means at least 39 of her works were each referenced 39 times or more by other researchers.
Her secret? It’s not luck. It’s discipline.
“There’s no application or nomination process for this ranking. Everything is based on verified data. To stay on the list, you have to keep writing, researching, and collaborating, every single year.”
Even with her administrative duties, she makes sure to write or review research data every day. No excuses.
From Jasin to the World
Born in Kluang, Johor, and raised in Jasin, Melaka, Norazah grew up in a household where education and discipline were a way of life. After completing her studies at Institut Perdagangan MARA, she pursued her degree, master’s, and eventually a PhD in Marketing and E-Commerce from Multimedia University (MMU), earning her doctorate by the remarkable age of 29.
Her academic path took her across Malaysia, from MMU to Universiti Teknologi Petronas, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Industri Selangor, and Universiti Malaysia Sabah (Labuan Campus), before she finally found her home at Universiti Utara Malaysia (UUM) in 2018.
That same year, she was honoured with the Malaysia’s Research Star Award, recognising her outstanding international research contributions.
Today, at 48, she not only holds the title of professor but also serves as the Deputy Dean of Research, Innovation, and Corporate Relations at the Othman Yeop Abdullah Graduate School of Business (OYAGSB), UUM; a testament to her discipline, focus, and enduring passion for the pursuit of knowledge.
Prof Norazah: The Professor Who Builds Others
What makes Norazah stand out isn’t just her own success, it’s how she helps others rise with her.
She once guided 105 undergraduate students to publish Scopus-indexed articles, something rarely achieved at that level. Their work was later compiled into a book titled “Handbook of Research on Leveraging Consumer Psychology for Effective Customer Engagement” (IGI Global, 2017).
Thanks to that, her students not only became published researchers, they each got their own Scopus ID, marking their official entry into the global research network. Many have since become academics, professors, and entrepreneurs.
Her philosophy is simple:
“Leadership isn’t about rank, it’s about responsibility and example.”
Beyond Academia: Serving the Nation
Behind the lab coat, there’s also a uniform. Since 2013, Prof Norazah has served as an Associate Officer in the Civil Defence Force (APM), holding the rank of Associate Lieutenant Colonel.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, while others worked from home, she was stationed at the Home Surveillance Centre in Kedah, coordinating multiple agencies, registering quarantined individuals, ensuring hygiene standards, and overseeing food distribution.
For her efforts, she was awarded the Civil Defence Service Medal in 2021.
“Knowledge and titles mean nothing if we don’t give back to society,” she said, and she walks that talk.
Research That Reflects the Future
Her research covers what matters most in today’s economy, consumer behaviour, digital marketing, green business, and sustainability. Recently, her focus has expanded to include AI (artificial intelligence) and changing purchase trends like Buy Now, Pay Later.
She believes that businesses of the future must care about people and the planet, and her studies keep proving that socially responsible marketing isn’t just moral; it’s also smart.
In a world obsessed with instant fame, Prof Norazah’s story is refreshingly real. Seven years on the world’s most competitive scientific list isn’t coincidence; it’s commitment. She simply did the work, every day, for decades, and let the results speak for themselves.
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