Islamic Azad University

The Islamic Azad University (IAU; Persian: دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی, Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi) is a private university system headquartered in Tehran, Iran. It is one of the largest comprehensive systems of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the world.[6][7] Besides Iran, the university has international satellite branches in countries such as Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and the United Kingdom.

Islamic Azad University
  • دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی

Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi
Seal of the Islamic Azad University
Other name
IAU, Azad University
MottoNo official motto

Unofficial mottoes:
اطلب العلم من المهد الى اللحد (Arabic)
ز گهواره تا گور دانش بجوی
آرمان ایرانی برای جهانی شدن
یادگیری و زندگی

(Persian)
Motto in English
No official motto[1]

Unofficial mottoes include:

Seek Knowledge from the Cradle to the Grave
Iranian Aspirations for Globalization
Learn and Live
TypePrivate university system[2]
EstablishedMay 21, 1982 (1982-05-21)[1]
Academic affiliations
SCRC
MSRT
MOHME
AUAP
ASAIHL
FUIW
IAU
IAUP
Endowment$10 billion (2023)[1]
Budget$0.7 billion (2023)[1]
ChairmanAli Akbar Velayati
PresidentMohammad Mehdi Tehranchi[3][4][1]
Vice-presidentBijan Ranjbar
Academic staff
53,789 { 21,273 (Full-time) & 286 (Part-time) + 32,230 (Visiting and Adjunct) } (2023)[1]
Administrative staff
29,117 (2023)[1]
Students1,177,977 (2023)[1]
Undergraduates~916,654[1]
Postgraduates~199,126[1]
~62,197 (including professional doctorate, medicine and residency)[1]
Location
  • Iran
  • United Kingdom
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Lebanon
  • Afghanistan
Campus33 Universities (2 Independent and 31 state university in 367 branches) and 1,051 Sama Schools under direct administration (2023)
MediaFarhikhteghan Newspaper, Azad News Agency (ANA), Isca News Agency
Colours   Dark and light blue[5]
Sporting affiliations
Websitewww.iau.ac.ir

Downscaling

In 2023 Iranian government 7th program merged or closed down several thousand universities with less than 1000 students.[8]

History

Headquartered in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Azad University is the world's sixth-largest university. It was approved and ratified by the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution in 1982, having been founded and established by Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.[9][10][11] It has an enrollment of 1 million students.[12][13] 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.[14] Over the years, the university has accumulated assets estimated to be worth $20–25 billion.[1][13]

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.[13]

The certificates issued by this university are recognized by the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and Ministry of Health and Medical Education for medical education.[14] The university admits students through the National Wide Entrance Examination held by the National (Iranian) Organization of Educational Testing.

Endowment controversy

Iran's supreme leader has declared the financial endowment of Islamic Azad University to be "religiously illegitimate and unlawful", prompting a change within the administration of the institution.[15]

Governance
  • The Board of Founders
  • The Board of Trustees
  • The President of the university
  • The University Council

Board of Founders

The board consists of nine people, including Ali Akbar Velayati (Head of Board), Abdollah Jassbi, Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri, Hassan Khomeini, Mohsen Qomi, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Abdul-Karim Mousavi Ardebili, Hamid Mirzadeh and one vacant position.

Board of trustees

Members include:

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.

Presidents
President Tenure Alma mater Speciality
Abdollah Jassbi1982–2012United Kingdom Aston UniversityIndustrial Engineering and Management
Farhad Daneshjoo2012–2013United Kingdom University of WestminsterCivil and Earthquake Engineering
Hamid Mirzadeh2013–2017Australia University of New South WalesPolymer Engineering and Biomaterials
Ali Mohammad Noorian (acting)2017–2017United Kingdom University of WalesElectrical Engineering and Physics
Farhad Rahbar2017–2018Iran University of TehranTheoretical Economics
Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi2018–presentRussia Moscow Institute of Physics and TechnologyApplied Physics and Advanced Materials

Organization and administration

Central Organization (University System):

  • 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[16] 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][17]

These campuses are under the direct control of the board of trustees and the President. The best known and famous branches are listed below. The most distinguished, most highly ranked and most prestigious, are Central Tehran and Science and Research.

Branch Type Founded Enrollment
Science and Research Independent Comprehensive 1984 ~ 50,000
Najafabad Independent Comprehensive 1985 ~ 20,000
Central Tehran Comprehensive, Head of Tehran state universities 1982 ~ 55,000
South Tehran Comprehensive 1985 ~ 35,000
North Tehran Comprehensive 1985 ~ 40,000
Tehran Medical Comprehensive 1985 ~ 20,000
Karaj Comprehensive 1984 ~ 30,000
Tabriz Comprehensive 1982 ~ 20,000
Qazvin Comprehensive 1992 ~ 15,000
Mashhad Comprehensive 1982 ~ 30,000
Isfahan Comprehensive 1983 ~ 20,000

Campuses in the City of Tehran
Branch Type Founded Enrollment
Central Organization University System 1982 N/A
Science and Research Independent Comprehensive 1984 ~ 50,000
Central Tehran Comprehensive, Head of Tehran state universities 1982 ~ 55,000
South Tehran Comprehensive 1985 ~ 35,000
North Tehran Comprehensive 1985 ~ 40,000
West Tehran Semi Comprehensive 1994 ~ 20,000
East Tehran Semi Comprehensive 2001 ~ 10,000
Medical Tehran Medicine, Dental, Pharmaceutical Science & Biology 1985 ~ 25,000
Electronic Electronic 2008 ~ 20,000
Fereshtegan International People with special needs 2019 ~ 1,000
Farshchian Islamic Iranian Art Islamic Iranian Art 2018 ~ 1,000

Two-year institutions

Vice Presidency for General Education and Skills Training:

  • 118 skill and entrepreneurship colleges
  • Skills Training Schools

Educational institutions (K-12)

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.[18]

In 1995, a branch was opened in Dubai.[19]

International offices

The Islamic Azad University has international offices in Russia, Italy, Germany, the UK, UAE, Lebanon and Afghanistan.[20]

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.

Admissions

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.[21][22]

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).

Distribution of students

In the academic year 2021–2022:

Field of studyPercent
Humanities and Social Sciences 50.11%
Engineering and Technology 32.32%
Arts and Architecture 8.72%
Medical Science and Veterinary Medicine 4.46%
Basic Sciences 2.97%
Agriculture and Natural Resources 1.42%
Total[1] 100%
Level of study (degree)Percent
Associate 12.97%
Bachelor's 64.23%
Master's 16.52%
Professional Doctorate 1.67%
Residency (medicine) 0.01%
Ph.D. 4.58%
Total[1] 100%

Distribution of graduates

In the academic year 2021–2022:

Field of studyPercent
Humanities 50.71%
Engineering 30.54%
Arts and Architecture 8.99%
Basic Sciences 2.47%
Agriculture and Natural Resources 1.66%
Medical Sciences 1.33%
Veterinary 1.01%
Applied Sciences, Training and General Majors 3.30%
Total[1] 100%
Level of study (degree)Percent
Associate 28.02%
Bachelor's 56.30%
Master's 14.87%
Professional Doctorate 0.44%
Ph.D. 0.35%
Total[1] 100%

Medical centers

IAU' medical centers include:[1]

(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:

  • Farhikhtegan Hospital in Tehran, Iran[23]
  • Bou-Ali (Avicenna) Hospital in Tehran, Iran
  • Amiralmomenin Hospital in Tehran, Iran
  • Javaheri Hospital in Tehran, Iran
  • 22 Baham Hospital in Mashhad, Iran
  • Aria Hospital in Mashhad, Iran
  • Yazd Hospital
  • Khatamalanbia Hospital
  • Rhazes Hospital
  • Katalem Hospital

Rankings

U.S. News & World Report rankings
2023 Best Global Universities Ranking[24]
  • Global Ranking: 394
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 77
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 117
  • Artificial Intelligence: 55
  • Biology and Biochemistry: 299
  • Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology: 136
  • Chemical Engineering: 36
  • Chemistry: 136
  • Civil Engineering: 14
  • Clinical Medicine: 644
  • Computer Science: 234
  • Condensed Matter Physics: 124
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering: 110
  • Energy and Fuels: 40
  • Engineering: 37
  • Environment/Ecology: 367
  • Food Science and Technology: 84
  • Geosciences: 385
  • Materials Science: 267
  • Mathematics: 29
  • Mechanical Engineering: 4
  • Optics: 83
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology: 181
  • Physical Chemistry: 90
  • Physics: 200
  • Plant and Animal Science: 356
  • Polymer Science: 9
  • Water Resources: 30
2022 Best Global Universities Ranking[24]
  • Global Ranking: 434
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 75
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 114
  • Biology and Biochemistry: 379
  • Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology: 152
  • Chemical Engineering: 36
  • Chemistry: 145
  • Civil Engineering: 15
  • Clinical Medicine: 694
  • Computer Science: 160
  • Condensed Matter Physics: 116
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering: 115
  • Energy and Fuels: 36
  • Engineering: 44
  • Environment/Ecology: 378
  • Food Science and Technology: 77
  • Geosciences: 346
  • Materials Science: 244
  • Mathematics: 45
  • Mechanical Engineering: 3
  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: 247
  • Optics: 118
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology: 229
  • Physical Chemistry: 98
  • Physics: 205
  • Plant and Animal Science: 389
  • Polymer Science: 27
2021 Best Global Universities Ranking[24]
  • Global Ranking: 445
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 72
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 117
  • Biology and Biochemistry: 441
  • Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology: 176
  • Chemical Engineering: 29
  • Chemistry: 110
  • Civil Engineering: 23
  • Clinical Medicine: 725
  • Computer Science: 193
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering: 105
  • Energy and Fuels: 39
  • Engineering: 47
  • Environment/Ecology: 373
  • Materials Science: 232
  • Mathematics: 31
  • Mechanical Engineering: 1
  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: 204
  • Physics: 228
  • Plant and Animal Science: 397
2020 Best Global Universities Ranking[24]
  • Global Ranking: 454
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 69
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 84
  • Biology and Biochemistry: 466
  • Chemistry: 121
  • Civil Engineering: 35
  • Computer Science: 110
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering: 93
  • Engineering: 44
  • Materials Science: 225
  • Mathematics: 29
  • Mechanical Engineering: 5
  • Physics: 235
  • Plant and Animal Science: 432

2018 Best Global Universities Ranking[24]

  • Global Ranking: 497
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 76
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 132
  • Chemistry: 136
  • Computer Science: 119
  • Engineering: 38
  • Materials Science: 104
  • Mathematics: 21
  • Physics: 369

CWUR - The Center for World University Rankings

2021-2022 Ranking:[25]

  • World Rank: 372
  • National Rank: 1
  • Quality of Education Rank: NA
  • Alumni Employment Rank: NA
  • Quality of Faculty Rank: NA
  • Research Performance Rank: 342
  • Overall Score: 75.7

SciVisions rankings

2017: International rank: 938, National rank: 5, Regional Rank: 24 (SRBIAU)[26]

SCImago rankings

2013: International rank: 87, National rank: 1, Regional Rank: 1[27]

2012: International rank: 231, National rank: 1, Regional Rank: 2[28]

CWTS Leiden Ranking

2014: World rank: 252, Country rank: 11, Regional rank: 194[29]

URAP – University Ranking by Academic Performance

2013: World rank: 161, Country rank: 1, Regional rank: 25[30]

2012: World rank: 226, Country rank: 2, Regional rank: 34[31]

ISC rankings

[32][33][34]

Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2010
Rank Branch Score
1 Tabriz 4.27
2 Mashhad 3.51
3 Central Tehran 3.06
4 Karaj 2.61
5 North Tehran 2.48
6 Najafabad 1.37
7 Isfahan (Khorasgan) 1.35
8 Shahrekord 1.30
9 Quchan 1.26
10 Ardabil 1.19
Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2011
Rank Branch Score
1 Science and Research 100
2 Mashhad 23.75
3 Karaj 18.53
4 South Tehran 18.21
5 Isfahan (Khorasgan) 13.5
6 North Tehran NA
7 Najafabad NA
8 Qazvin NA
9 Central Tehran NA
10 Yazd NA
Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2012[35]
Rank Branch Score
1 Science and Research 100
2 Karaj 99.85
3 Mashhad 99.58
4 Tabriz 99.33
5 Isfahan (Khorasgan) 98.58
6 Arak 96.82
7 North Tehran 95.51
8 Saveh 95.10
9 Shahreza 94.58
10 South Tehran 94.06

See also

References
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  2. "EDUCATION vii. SURVEY OF MODERN EDUCATION – Encyclopaedia Iranica". www.iranicaonline.org. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
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  6. "The Largest Universities in the World by Enrollment". WorldAtlas. 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  7. Staff Writers (2009-11-23). "Top 10 Largest Universities in the World -". collegestats.org. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  8. https://www.isna.ir/amp/1402041811346/
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  13. "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2010-08-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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  15. "The battle over Islamic Azad University". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  16. "دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی نجف‌آباد، واحد جامع مستقل شد/ واحد جامع مستقل تابع استان نیست". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  18. رزمی. "General Directorate of International Affairs - اداره کل بین الملل دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی - Oxford Campus". intl.iau.ir. Archived from the original on 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
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  35. "Rank Iran Azad University". ur.isc.gov.ir. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.

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