Headquartered in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Azad University is the world's sixth-largestuniversity. It was approved and ratified by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution in 1982, having been founded and established by Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.[8][9][10] It has an enrollment of 1 million students.[11][12] Since its inception in 1982, it has grown both physically and academically to become one of the largest higher education institutions globally. Over the years, IAU has promoted 'higher education for all' as its key objective. IAU has two independent and 31 state university branches across Iran, and four branches in other countries: the U.A.E., the United Kingdom, Lebanon and Afghanistan.[13] Over the years, the university has accumulated assets estimated to be worth $20–25 billion.[1][12]
The Islamic Azad University's activities quickly expanded throughout the country, so that today thousands of students are enrolling every year. Not relying on government funding, it receives charitable donations and charges tuition fees.[12]
Iran's supreme leader declared the financial endowment of Islamic Azad University was "religiously illegitimate and unlawful", prompting a change within the administration of the institution.[14]
The head of the Supreme Leader's representative in universities or his deputy
The president of the university (Board Secretary)
Board of directors
The administration of the university is the Rector of the University Board of Trustees and approved the proposal of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and the decision of the President of the board of trustees is appointed for a term of four years. All Islamic Azad University campuses are governed by the Regents of the university.
Vice Presidency for Research, Technology and Innovation
Vice Presidency for Student and Cultural Affairs
Vice Presidency for Development and Resource Management (Financial and Administrative Affairs)
Vice Presidency for International Affairs and Non-Iranian Students
Vice Presidency for Science, Engineering and Agriculture (Academic and Post Graduate Affairs)
Vice Presidency for Medical Sciences
Vice Presidency for Humanities and Arts
Vice Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs and Social Relations
Vice Presidency for General Education and Skills Training (Sama)
Research Institute and Laboratory Networks
Science and Technology Park
Center of Admissions
Center for Martyrs and Veterans Affairs
Center for Provincial Board of Trustees
Center for Audit of the Board of Trustees
Center of Construction and Real Estate
Center of Monitoring, Inspection and Complaints
Policy Institute of Strategic Studies
Law Office
Cultural Center of Imam Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution
Knowledge Based Economy and Finance Council
Trading Commission
Research and Technology Fund
Branches and campuses
The Islamic Azad University has two independent[15] and 31 state university branches with 367 campuses in Iran, and four branches overseas, as well as a range of research centers, hospitals, laboratories, workshops, sports facilities, recreational areas and ICT facilities. It now welcomes not only local but also international students. There are 1051 Sama schools affiliated to the university, along with 118 skill and entrepreneurship colleges.[1][16]
These campuses are under the direct control of the board of trustees and the President. Branches are listed below.
Vice Presidency for General Education and Skills Training:
Sama Schools (1051 pre schools, primary schools, secondary schools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and university-preparatory schools)
Overseas branches
The Azad University in Oxford (AUO) at the outskirts of the city of Oxford in the UK, was established in 2004 to support IAU's international collaboration activities. Through its links with the UK universities and research centers, the AUO provides services to the students and staff of IAU as well as other students and organisations around the world.[17]
The Islamic Azad University has international offices in Russia, Italy, Germany, France, the UK, UAE, Lebanon and Afghanistan.[19]
State universities
IAU has 31 state universities (provincial universities) located throughout the provinces of Iran. Digits in parentheses indicate the number of branches in current province.
From the establishment of Islamic Azad University in 1982 to 2013, the admission process of students was through Islamic Azad University's entrance exam which was designed, held, and scored independently by the private university system. Post-2013, its entrance exam was merged with the Public University System. It holds the national entrance exam and some students who get admitted through this process would be exempt from paying any tuitions. However, Islamic Azad University requires tuition which varies by different factors such as program, degree, and location.[20][21]
The university accepts nearly 320,000 students annually (10,000 PhD, 3,000 Professional Doctorate and Medicine, 57,000 Masters, 200,000 Bachelors and 50,000 Associates).
(Not included Veterinary Medicine and Clinical and Health Psychology)
107 branches in medical sciences
1669 faculty members
43,728 medical sciences students
72 majors in different levels
There are 825 active beds in 10 hospitals in Iran, and has 1273 approval beds. Each medical center serves as the primary teaching site for that campus's medical school. Some hospitals are listed below:
^(CWTS), Centre for Science and Technology Studies. "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2016". leidenranking.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
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