ISSN: 2222-6990
Open access
This study conducts a bibliometric analysis to examine research trends and scholarly contributions on Islamic universities in Malaysia between 2020 and 2025. Using Scopus as the primary database, data were refined with OpenRefine, synthesized through NotebookLM, and visualized using VOSviewer. The analysis investigates publication output by year, subject area distribution, document types, influential studies, international collaboration, and thematic developments. A total of 247 documents were retrieved, revealing steady growth in research with significant peaks in 2023 and 2024. The findings indicate that most studies are within the social sciences (40.9%) and arts and humanities (21.3%), reflecting the dominant emphasis on Islamic higher education's educational, cultural, and religious aspects. Journal articles represented the most significant proportion of publications, underscoring their role as the primary channel for scholarly communication. Citation analysis shows that highly cited works frequently focus on moral education, digital learning, curriculum reform, and value-based education. Indonesia emerged as the leading contributor, followed by Malaysia, while collaboration networks highlight strong regional and international linkages. Keyword mapping revealed recurring themes such as higher education, Islamic education, student preferences, and digital transformation. Overall, this study advances understanding of the intellectual structure of Islamic higher education research and offers valuable insights for policymakers, educators, and scholars in shaping institutional strategies and future academic directions.
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