Islamic Azad University

Islamic Azad University
  • دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی

Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi
Seal of the Islamic Azad University
Other name
IAU, Azad University
MottoOfficial motto:
پیشرفت علمی با خودباوری، امید و حرکت (2026) (Persian)
Motto in English
No official motto

Unofficial mottoes include:

Seek Knowledge from the Cradle to the Grave
Iranian Aspirations for Globalization
Learn and Live
TypePrivate university system
EstablishedMay 21, 1982 (1982-05-21)
FounderAkbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
Academic affiliations
SCRC
MSRT
MOHME
ASAIHL
FUIW
Endowment$10 billion (2026)
Budget$0.5 billion (2026)
ChairmanAli Akbar Velayati
PresidentBijan Ranjbar
Vice-presidentAli Sorouri-majd
Academic staff
49,744 { 19,454 (Full-time) & 290 (Part-time) + 30,000 (Visiting, Adjunct and TA) } (2026)
Administrative staff
23,987 (2026)
Students1,377,977 (2026)
Undergraduates~1,116,654
Postgraduates~199,126
~62,197 (including professional doctorate, medicine and residency)
Location
  • Iran
  • United Kingdom
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Lebanon
  • Afghanistan
Campus34 Universities (3 Independent and 31 state university in 330 branches) and 845 Sama Schools under direct administration (2026)
MediaFarhikhteghan Newspaper, Azad News Agency (ANA), Isca News Agency
Colours   Dark and light blue
Sporting affiliations
Websitewww.iau.ac.ir
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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.