# 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 in the world.

## History

Headquartered in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Azad University is the world's fifth-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. The first large-scale private university in the Islamic Republic, Islamic Azad expanded rapidly in the 1990s, overtaking regular state universities in terms of total enrollment by the early 2000s. IAU has an enrollment of over 1.5 million students. IAU has promoted 'higher education for all' as its key objective, growing physically and academically to become one of the largest higher education institutions globally. 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. The university has accumulated assets estimated to be worth $20–25 billion.
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.
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.

### Endowment controversy

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.

## 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:
* Three members of full-time associated or higher rank professor faculty of the universities approved by the Supreme Council of Cultural Revolution (Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi, Farhad Rahbar, Fereidoun Azizi)
* Three members of the founding board, including at least one member of the clergy (Ali Akbar Velayati (Head of Board), Abdollah Jassbi, Hassan Khomeini)
* The Ministers of Science, Research and Technology and Health and Medical Education or their representatives
* 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.

### Presidents

| President | Tenure | Alma mater | Speciality |
| Abdollah Jassbi | 1982–2012 | Aston University | Industrial Engineering and Management |
| Farhad Daneshjoo | 2012–2013 | University of Westminster | Civil and Earthquake Engineering |
| Hamid Mirzadeh | 2013–2017 | University of New South Wales | Polymer Engineering and Biomaterials |
| Ali Mohammad Noorian (acting) | 2017–2017 | University of Wales | Electrical Engineering and Physics |
| Farhad Rahbar | 2017–2018 | University of Tehran | Theoretical Economics |
| Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi | 2018–present | Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology | Applied 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 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.
Branches are listed below.
| Branch | Type | Founded | Enrollment |
| Science and Research | Independent Comprehensive | 1984 | ~ 50,000 |
| Central Tehran | Comprehensive, Head of Tehran state universities | 1982 | ~ 50,000 |
| Najafabad | Independent Comprehensive | 1985 | ~ 20,000 |
| South Tehran | Comprehensive | 1985 | ~ 40,000 |
| North Tehran | Comprehensive | 1985 | ~ 40,000 |
| Tehran Medical | Comprehensive | 1985 | ~ 25,000 |
| Karaj | Comprehensive | 1984 | ~ 40,000 |
| 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 | ~ 50,000 |
| South Tehran | Comprehensive | 1985 | ~ 40,000 |
| 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.
In 1995, a branch was opened in Dubai.

### International offices

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

### 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.
* Islamic Azad University, Alborz Province (3)
* Islamic Azad University, Ardabil Province (8)
* Islamic Azad University, East Azerbaijan Province (27)
* Islamic Azad University, West Azerbaijan Province (10)
* Islamic Azad University, Mazandaran Province (11)
* Islamic Azad University, Chahar Mahaal and Bakhtiari Province (3)
* Islamic Azad University, Fars Province (30)
* Islamic Azad University, Gilan Province (12)
* Islamic Azad University, Golestan Province (10)
* Islamic Azad University, Hamadan Province (6)
* Islamic Azad University, Hormozgan Province (12)
* Islamic Azad University, Ilam Province (5)
* Islamic Azad University, Isfahan Province (24)
* Islamic Azad University, Kerman Province (12)
* Islamic Azad University, Kermanshah Province (8)
* Islamic Azad University, North Khorasan Province (4)
* Islamic Azad University, Razavi Khorasan Province (14)
* Islamic Azad University, South Khorasan Province (4)
* Islamic Azad University, Khuzestan Province (17)
* Islamic Azad University, Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad Province (3)
* Islamic Azad University, Kurdistan Province (6)
* Islamic Azad University, Lorestan Province (6)
* Islamic Azad University, Markazi Province (15)
* Islamic Azad University, Mazandaran Province (14)
* Islamic Azad University, Qazvin Province (4)
* Islamic Azad University, Qom Province (1)
* Islamic Azad University, Semnan Province (7)
* Islamic Azad University, Sistan and Baluchestan Province (7)
* Islamic Azad University, Tehran Province (24)
* Islamic Azad University, Yazd Province (10)
* Islamic Azad University, Zanjan Province (4)

## 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.
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 study | Percent |
| 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 | 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 | 100% |

### Distribution of graduates

In the academic year 2021–2022:
| Field of study | Percent |
| 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 | 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 | 100% |

## Medical centers

IAU' medical centers include:
(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
* 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

## Main Library

The Islamic Azad University Libraries Affairs manages various libraries for over 360 branches of Islamic Azad Universities nationwide. These libraries provide valuable services to more than 1.2 million students, faculty, and researchers.

## Rankings
### U.S. News & World Report rankings

    2023 Best Global Universities Ranking
* 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
* 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
* 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
* 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
* 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:
* 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)

### SCImago rankings

2013: International rank: 87, National rank: 1, Regional Rank: 1
2012: International rank: 231, National rank: 1, Regional Rank: 2

### CWTS Leiden Ranking

2014: World rank: 252, Country rank: 11, Regional rank: 194

### URAP – University Ranking by Academic Performance

2013: World rank: 161, Country rank: 1, Regional rank: 25
2012: World rank: 226, Country rank: 2, Regional rank: 34

### ISC rankings

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 :
| 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 |

## Gallery

* Science and Research, Tehran
* Science and Research, Tehran
* Mashhad
* Najafabad
* Lahijan
* Roudehen
* Isfahan
* Dehaqan