Charting academic evolution: a bibliometric study of ISTAC-IIUM’s thesis catalog

This paper presents a bibliometric analysis of ISTAC-IIUM’s thesis catalog (1993–2024), highlighting thematic trends and epistemological insights. It offers critical reflections on ISTAC’s scholarly trajectory, emphasizing its evolution from a foundational institute to a hub for interdisciplinary Islamic scholarship. This study underscores ISTAC’s commitment to addressing contemporary global and regional challenges through its academic output while staying rooted in its intellectual foundations. It also identifies thematic gaps, particularly in interdisciplinary research and emerging fields such as sustainability, gender studies, and digital transformation. Recommendations include developing integrated academic pathways, expanding underrepresented specializations, and fostering global collaborations to enhance ISTAC’s visibility and impact. The research contributes to understanding ISTAC’s academic trajectory, offering actionable insights to guide its future strategic direction in Islamic scholarship and its relevance in global academic discourse. This study demonstrates ISTAC’s evolution from a foundational institute of Islamic thought to a dynamic and adaptive institution addressing the complexities of modern society while aligning with IIUM’s Tawhidic and Ummatic framework to advance holistic and impactful scholarship.