Islamic Azad University
| Islamic Azad University | |
|---|---|
| دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi |
|
 Islamic Azad University coat of arms |
|
| Motto | Persian: آرمان ایرانی برای جهانی شدن[1] |
| Motto in English | Iranian aspirations for globalization |
| Established | 1982 |
| Type | Private[2] |
| President | Farhad Daneshjoo |
| Academic staff | 46,000 |
| Students | 1,900,000 |
| Location |  Iran United Kingdom United Arab Emirates Lebanon Tanzania Armenia |
| Colours | Dark and light Blue[3] |
| Athletics | Azad University Tehran Basketball Club Azad University cycling team |
| Website | www.iau.ac.ir |
Islamic Azad University (Persian: دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی , Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi) is a private chain of universities in Iran.
Headquartered in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Azad University was founded in 1982 and currently has an enrollment of 1.5 million students,[4] making it the world's third largest.[5] Azad University has over 400 branches across the country and also in other countries. It has branches and universities in U.A.E, United Kingdom, Tanzania, Lebanon and Armenia and has plans to establish more branch campuses in Malaysia, Canada, Afghanistan and Tajikistan in the near future. Over the years, the university has accumulated assets estimated to be worth between $20 and $25 billion.[5]
The university system also operates a news agency similar to ANA, named "Azad News Agency".
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.[5]
The certificates issued by this university are recognized by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education.[6] Masters and doctorate programs have been offered in many different branches of Islamic Azad University.
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[edit] First Branch of Islamic Azad University
Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch is the first and the largest branch of Islamic Azad University among domestic and foreign branchs which was established in Tehran in May 1982. It started its activities with 6 courses in Bachelor's degree, one course in Associates degree with acceptance 200 students. The longest reigning leader of the Tehran branch was Nasir Shekarriz who was in charge of this branch for nearly 20 years.
[edit] Controversy
Iran's Supreme Leader has declared the financial endowment of Azad University to be "religiously illegitimate and unlawful", prompting a change within the administration of the institution.
[edit] Islamic Azad University ranking
In early 2011, Islamic World Science Citation Database declared the very first official ranking of Higher education and research institutes of Iran,[7] including a ranking of Islamic Azad University Branches:[8]
| Rank | Branch | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islamic Azad University of Tabriz | 4.27 |
| 2 | Islamic Azad University of Mashhad | 3.51 |
| 3 | Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch | 3.06 |
| 4 | Islamic Azad University of Karaj | 2.61 |
| 5 | Islamic Azad University Tehran North Branch | 1.88 |
| 6 | Islamic Azad University of Najafabad | 1.37 |
| 7 | Islamic Azad University, Science and Research Branch, Isfahan | 1.35 |
| 8 | Islamic Azad University of Ghouchan | 1.26 |
| 9 | Islamic Azad University of Shabestar | 1.19 |
| 10 | Islamic Azad University of Ardabil | 0.95 |
[edit] See also
- List of universities in Iran - includes list of IAU Universities
- Higher Education in Iran
[edit] References
- ^ http://aftabnews.ir/vdcauin6i49nwa1.k5k4.html
- ^ Ahmad Ashraf, “EDUCATION vii. GENERAL SURVEY OF MODERN EDUCATION,” Encyclopaedia Iranica, Online Edition, December 15, 1997, available at http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/education-vii-general-survey-of-modern-education.
- ^ "Islamic Azad University Logotype usage guidelines" (PDF). Islamic Azad University. http://azad.ac.ir/uploads/1_23_Logotype%20usage%20guidelines.pdf. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
- ^ Encyclopaedia Britannica World Almanac, ed. 2004, page 666
- ^ a b c http://www.turquoisepartners.com/iraninvestment/IIM-Jul10.pdf
- ^ http://www.idjrb.com/articlepdf/idjrb9n1p9.pdf
- ^ http://www.khabaronline.ir/detail/119311/
- ^ http://ur.isc.gov.ir/Shownews.aspx?n_code=55
- ^ http://ur.isc.gov.ir/UnivRankList.aspx?cp=1
[edit] External links
- (Persian) Main website
- Azad University IR in Oxford
- (Persian) Islamic Azad University, fars science and research branch
- Education System in Islamic Azad University
- Annual Review - Statistics by the Central Bank of Iran, including Azad University.
- Video
- Endowment of Islamic Azad University's Property - PressTV documentary (2010)
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