Islamic Azad University Explained

Islamic Azad University
Native Name:
Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi
Native Name Lang:fa
Type:Private university system[1]
Motto:No official mottoUnofficial mottoes:
Arabic: اطلب العلم من المهد الى اللحد(Arabic)
Persian: ز گهواره تا گور دانش بجوی
Persian: آرمان ایرانی برای جهانی شدن
Persian: یادگیری و زندگی(Persian)
Mottoeng:No official mottoUnofficial mottoes include:Seek Knowledge from the Cradle to the Grave
Iranian Aspirations for Globalization
Learn and Live
Endowment:$10 billion (2023)
Budget:$0.7 billion (2023)
President:Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi[2] [3] [4]
Vice-President:Ali Sorouri-majd
Academic Staff:53,789 (2023)
Administrative Staff:29,117 (2023)
Students:1,177,977 (2023)
Undergrad:~916,654
Postgrad:~199,126
Doctoral:~62,197 (including professional doctorate, medicine and residency)
Campus:33 Universities (2 Independent and 31 state university in 367 branches) and 1,051 Sama Schools under direct administration (2023)
Colours: Dark and light blue[5]
Other Name:IAU, Azad University
Free Label:Media
Free:Farhikhteghan Newspaper, Azad News Agency (ANA), Isca News Agency

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.[6] [7] Besides Iran, the university has international satellite branches in countries such as Afghanistan, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon and the United Kingdom.

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.[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. Over the years, the university has accumulated assets estimated to be worth $20–25 billion.[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]

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.[13]

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.[14]

Governance

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

PresidentTenureAlma materSpeciality
1982–2012 Industrial Engineering and Management
2012–2013 Civil and Earthquake Engineering
2013–2017 Polymer Engineering and Biomaterials
Ali Mohammad Noorian (acting) 2017–2017 Electrical Engineering and Physics
2017–2018 Theoretical Economics
2018–present Applied Physics and Advanced Materials

Organization and administration

Central Organization (University System):

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.[16]

These campuses are under the direct control of the board of trustees and the President. Branches are listed below.

BranchTypeFoundedEnrollment
Science and ResearchIndependent Comprehensive1984~ 50,000
Central TehranComprehensive, Head of Tehran state universities1982~ 50,000
NajafabadIndependent Comprehensive1985~ 20,000
South TehranComprehensive1985~ 40,000
North TehranComprehensive1985~ 40,000
Tehran MedicalComprehensive1985~ 25,000
KarajComprehensive1984~ 40,000
TabrizComprehensive1982~ 20,000
QazvinComprehensive1992~ 15,000
MashhadComprehensive1982~ 30,000
IsfahanComprehensive1983~ 20,000

Campuses in the City of Tehran

BranchTypeFoundedEnrollment
Central OrganizationUniversity System1982N/A
Science and ResearchIndependent Comprehensive1984~ 50,000
Central TehranComprehensive, Head of Tehran state universities1982~ 50,000
South TehranComprehensive1985~ 40,000
North TehranComprehensive1985~ 40,000
West TehranSemi Comprehensive1994~ 20,000
Islamic Azad University East Tehran BranchEast TehranSemi Comprehensive2001~ 10,000
Medical TehranMedicine, Dental, Pharmaceutical Science & Biology1985~ 25,000
Islamic Azad University Electronic BranchElectronicElectronic2008~ 20,000
Islamic Azad University Fereshtegan Internashional BranchFereshtegan InternationalPeople with special needs2019~ 1,000
Islamic Azad University Farshchian Islamic Iranian Art BranchFarshchian Islamic Iranian ArtIslamic Iranian Art2018~ 1,000

Two-year institutions

Vice Presidency for General Education and Skills Training:

Educational institutions (K-12)

Vice Presidency for General Education and Skills Training:

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]

In 1995, a branch was opened in Dubai.[18]

International offices

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.

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.[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).

Distribution of students

In the academic year 2021–2022:

Field of study Percent
Humanities and Social Sciences50.11%
Engineering and Technology32.32%
Arts and Architecture8.72%
Medical Science and Veterinary Medicine4.46%
Basic Sciences2.97%
Agriculture and Natural Resources1.42%
Total100%
Level of study (degree) Percent
Associate12.97%
Bachelor's64.23%
Master's16.52%
Professional Doctorate1.67%
Residency (medicine)0.01%
Ph.D.4.58%
Total100%

Distribution of graduates

In the academic year 2021–2022:

Field of study Percent
Humanities50.71%
Engineering30.54%
Arts and Architecture8.99%
Basic Sciences2.47%
Agriculture and Natural Resources1.66%
Medical Sciences1.33%
Veterinary1.01%
Applied Sciences, Training and General Majors3.30%
Total100%
Level of study (degree) Percent
Associate28.02%
Bachelor's56.30%
Master's14.87%
Professional Doctorate0.44%
Ph.D.0.35%
Total100%

Medical centers

IAU' medical centers include:

(Not included Veterinary Medicine and Clinical and Health Psychology)

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:

Main Library

The Islamic Azad University Libraries Affairs is an essential part of the IAU in higher education and research in Iran. It 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 of these branches, including access to information resources, books, articles, and digital resources. This Section aims to create suitable platforms for easy access to scientific resources and promote the reading culture in the academic community.

IAU Journals

The IAU branches are publishing 508 scientific journals, of which 145 are in the English Language. https://centrallib.iau.ir/fa/page/91/%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%B2%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%A8%DB%8C-%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%B1%DB%8C%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%B9%D9%84%D9%85%DB%8C.

Rankings

U.S. News & World Report rankings

2023 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]

Subject ranking

2022 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]

Subject ranking

2021 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]

Subject ranking

2020 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]

Subject ranking

2018 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]

Subject ranking

CWUR - The Center for World University Rankings

2021-2022 Ranking:[24]

SciVisions rankings

2017: International rank: 938, National rank: 5, Regional Rank: 24 (SRBIAU)[25]

SCImago rankings

2013: International rank: 87, National rank: 1, Regional Rank: 1[26]

2012: International rank: 231, National rank: 1, Regional Rank: 2[27]

CWTS Leiden Ranking

2014: World rank: 252, Country rank: 11, Regional rank: 194[28]

URAP – University Ranking by Academic Performance

2013: World rank: 161, Country rank: 1, Regional rank: 25[29]

2012: World rank: 226, Country rank: 2, Regional rank: 34[30]

ISC rankings

[31] [32] [33]

Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2010!Rank!Branch!Score
1Tabriz4.27
2Mashhad3.51
3Central Tehran3.06
4Karaj2.61
5North Tehran2.48
6Najafabad1.37
7Isfahan (Khorasgan)1.35
8Shahrekord1.30
9Quchan1.26
10Ardabil1.19
Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2011!Rank!Branch!Score
1Science and Research100
2Mashhad23.75
3Karaj18.53
4South Tehran18.21
5Isfahan (Khorasgan)13.5
6North TehranNA
7NajafabadNA
8QazvinNA
9Central TehranNA
10YazdNA
Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2012[34] !Rank!Branch!Score
1Science and Research100
2Karaj99.85
3Mashhad99.58
4Tabriz99.33
5Isfahan (Khorasgan)98.58
6Arak96.82
7North Tehran95.51
8Saveh95.10
9Shahreza94.58
10South Tehran94.06

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: EDUCATION vii. SURVEY OF MODERN EDUCATION – Encyclopaedia Iranica. www.iranicaonline.org. 2012-01-26. 2012-01-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20120126021932/http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/education-vii-general-survey-of-modern-education. live.
  2. News: انتصاب سرپرست دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی. 23 April 2017. 23 April 2017. 26 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170426094210/http://www.iau.ac.ir/fa/News/88333/%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AA%D8%B5%D8%A7%D8%A8_%D8%B3%D8%B1%D9%BE%D8%B1%D8%B3%D8%AA_%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87_%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF_%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%84%D8%A7%D9%85%DB%8C. live.
  3. Web site: IAU General Catalog 2015-2016. 2020-06-24. 2020-06-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20200626215002/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/4957303/%D8%A2%D8%AE%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%86-%D9%88%D8%B6%D8%B9%DB%8C%D8%AA-%D9%BE%D8%B1%D9%88%D9%86%D8%AF%D9%87-%D8%A8%D9%88%D8%B1%D8%B3%DB%8C%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF. live.
  4. Web site: General Catalog 2021-2022. intl.iau.ir. 2022-01-15. 2022-07-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20220701211637/https://intl.iau.ir/en/book/4/iau-statistics-2022-2023. dead.
  5. Web site: Islamic Azad University Logotype usage guidelines. Islamic Azad University. January 26, 2012. November 12, 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20131112212806/http://azad.ac.ir/uploads/1_23_Logotype%20usage%20guidelines.pdf. live.
  6. Web site: 2018-03-15. The Largest Universities in the World by Enrollment. 2021-11-03. WorldAtlas. en-US.
  7. Web site: Staff Writers. 2009-11-23. Top 10 Largest Universities in the World -. 2021-11-03. collegestats.org. en.
  8. Web site: 2011-07-01. کنکور سراسری در ایران به محاق می رود؟. 2020-10-07. BBC News فارسی. fa.
  9. Web site: در مورد دانشگاه آزاد در ویکی تابناک بیشتر بخوانید. 2020-10-07. www.tabnak.ir. 2018-09-19. https://web.archive.org/web/20180919114646/http://www.tabnak.ir/fa/tags/3509/1/%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF. live.
  10. Web site: Back to the Future in Iran's Election . The National Interest . 16 July 2015 . 26 April 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190426141406/https://nationalinterest.org/commentary/back-the-future-irans-election-8477 . live .
  11. Encyclopædia Britannica World Almanac, ed. 2004, page 666
  12. Web site: Archived copy . 2010-08-01 . 2016-02-05 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160205173835/http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-Jul10.pdf . live .
  13. Web site: Gholamreza Rahimi, Ghader Vazifeh Damirch, "Islamic Azad University Roles in Scientific Development of Iran", Interdisciplinary Journal of Research in Business, Vol. 1, Issue. 9, (pp. 84–91), September–October 2011 . 2013-09-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120712170221/http://www.idjrb.com/articlepdf/idjrb9n1p9.pdf . 2012-07-12 . dead .
  14. Web site: The battle over Islamic Azad University. Foreign Policy. 16 July 2015. 22 May 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20130522212704/http://mideast.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2010/07/12/the_battle_over_islamic_azad_university. live.
  15. Web site: دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی نجف‌آباد، واحد جامع مستقل شد/ واحد جامع مستقل تابع استان نیست. 2015-12-14. 2015-12-22. https://web.archive.org/web/20151222145322/http://www.ana.ir/news/39971. live.
  16. http://iaun.ac.ir/index.php/progressive
  17. Web site: General Directorate of International Affairs - اداره کل بین الملل دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی - Oxford Campus. رزمی. intl.iau.ir. 2015-07-02. 2015-07-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20150703062141/http://intl.iau.ir/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=214&Itemid=600. live.
  18. Web site: At a glance - Islamic azad university U.A.E Branch. iau.ae. 28 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161007121402/http://iau.ae/iau2/at-a-glance/. 2016-10-07. dead.
  19. Web site: راه اندازی ۱۶ دفتر بین المللی دانشگاه آزاد در خارج از کشور - خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency . 2020-10-07 . 2019-04-21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190421080529/https://www.mehrnews.com/news/3835535/%D8%B1%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%AF%D8%A7%D8%B2%DB%8C-%DB%B1%DB%B6-%D8%AF%D9%81%D8%AA%D8%B1-%D8%A8%DB%8C%D9%86-%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%85%D9%84%D9%84%DB%8C-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%DA%AF%D8%A7%D9%87-%D8%A2%D8%B2%D8%A7%D8%AF-%D8%AF%D8%B1-%D8%AE%D8%A7%D8%B1%D8%AC-%D8%A7%D8%B2-%DA%A9%D8%B4%D9%88%D8%B1 . live .
  20. Web site: کنکور سراسری و دانشگاه آزاد باهم ادغام می شوند. 2021-03-27.
  21. Web site: شهریه رشته ها و تسهیلات دانشجویی . dead . 2021-03-27 . 2021-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210304122625/https://iaun.ac.ir/%D8%A2%D9%85%D9%88%D8%B2%D8%B4/%D8%B4%D9%87%D8%B1%DB%8C%D9%87-%D8%B1%D8%B4%D8%AA%D9%87-%D9%87%D8%A7-%D9%88-%D8%AA%D8%B3%D9%87%DB%8C%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA-%D8%AF%D8%A7%D9%86%D8%B4%D8%AC%D9%88%DB%8C%DB%8C .
  22. Web site: Farhikhtegan Hospital at SRBIAU near completion in near future, Development Vice President announces - Islamic Azad University،Science And Research Branch. Islamic Azad University،Science And Research Branch. 2018-03-17. 2018-03-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20180318054122/http://srbiau.ac.ir/en/news/3290/farhikhtegan-hospital-at-srbiau-near-completion-in-near-future-development-vice-president-announces-. live.
  23. Web site: U.S. News & World Report Ranking.
  24. Web site: CWUR.
  25. Web site: SciVisions. www.scivisions.com. 2018-03-17. 2018-03-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20180317233513/http://www.scivisions.com/Ranking.aspx. live.
  26. Web site: SIR Global 2013 - Rank: Output . 2013-09-15 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20130921211927/http://scimagoir.com/pdf/SIR%20Global%202013%20O.pdf . 2013-09-21 .
  27. Web site: SIR Global 2012 - Rank: Output . 2013-09-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130921111141/http://scimagoir.com/pdf/SIR%20Global%202012%20O.pdf . 2013-09-21 . dead .
  28. Web site: CWTS Leiden Ranking 2016. Centre for Science and Technology Studies. (CWTS). leidenranking.com. 28 December 2016. 11 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150511220356/http://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2014. live.
  29. Web site: URAP - University Ranking by Academic Performance. 16 July 2015. 31 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150531093631/http://www.urapcenter.org/2013/university.php?q=Daneshgahe+Azad+Eslami. live.
  30. Web site: URAP - University Ranking by Academic Performance. 16 July 2015. 31 May 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150531141128/http://www.urapcenter.org/2012/university.php?q=Daneshgahe+Azad+Eslami. live.
  31. Web site: نخستین رتبه‌بندی رسمی دانشگاه‌ها و مراکز تحقیقاتی کشور اعلام شد. 16 July 2015. 23 July 2015. https://web.archive.org/web/20150723005144/http://khabaronline.ir/detail/119311. live.
  32. Web site: رتبه بندی دانشگاه ها و موسسات پژوهشی ایران و کشورهای اسلامی. isc.gov.ir. 28 December 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20161124234042/http://ur.isc.gov.ir/. 24 November 2016. dead.
  33. Web site: Ranking of Iran Universities and Research Institution. isc.gov.ir. 28 December 2016. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20161223005025/http://ur.isc.gov.ir/default.aspx?Lan=en. 23 December 2016.
  34. Web site: Rank Iran Azad University. 1 January 2017. ur.isc.gov.ir. https://web.archive.org/web/20170828183537/http://ur.isc.gov.ir/Home/RankIranAzadUniv. 28 August 2017. dead.

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