On March 25, 2025, Elsevier released its 2024 “Highly Cited Chinese Researchers” List. Nine scholars from HENU, including Zhang Suojiang, Song Chunpeng, Wang Xuelu, and Zhang Lixin, have been named to the list, an increase of two compared to the 2023 list. This achievement continues an upward trend since 2018, reflecting HENU’s growing academic prominence.

Now in its 11th edition (2014–2024), the 2024 list recognizes 6,388 scholars from 547 different institutions, covering 83 first-level disciplines in the ten major fields under the Ministry of Education. Through data analysis using multiple indicators, the list highlights scholars’ impact in their respective fields, helping them establish academic identities and enhancing the global recognition of their achievements.

HENU’s progress aligns with its strategic focus on the “Double First-Class” Initiative, which prioritizes excellence-driven research ecosystems and structured innovation. The inclusion of nine scholars underscores HENU’s rising influence in priority fields and advances its goal of becoming a global academic leader.