Islamic Azad University

Islamic Azad University

دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi
Seal of the Islamic Azad University
Motto	آرمان ایرانی برای جهانی شدن (Persian)
Motto in English	Iranian Aspirations for Globalization
Type	Private university system
Established	1982
Founder	Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani
Endowment	140,955,000 USD
President	Hamid Mirzadeh, Ph.D.
Vice-president	Farhad Hosseinzadeh Lotfi, Ph.D.
Academic staff	70,000 (2015)
Students	1,702,231 (2015)
Undergraduates	1,544,434
Postgraduates	157,797
Campus	2 independent and 31 state university branches (335 campuses and research centers and 113 technical and vocational college in Iran, and 4 branches overseas) under direct administration
Media	Farhikhteghan Newspaper, Afarinesh Newspaper, Azad News Agency (ANA), Isca News Agency
Colours	Dark and light blue
Athletics	Azad University of Tehran Basketball Club Azad University of Tehran Cycling Club
Sports	Azad University Giant Team
Nickname	IAU
Affiliations	Islamic Azad University system SCRC FUIW IAU TWAS
Website	www.iau.ac.ir

The Islamic Azad University (IAU; Persian: دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی‎‎, Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi), commonly referred to as Azad University, is a private university system in Iran. It is one of the largest comprehensive system of universities, colleges, and community colleges in the world.

Headquartered in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Azad University is the world's third-largest university which was approved and ratified by Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution in 1982 and was founded in 1982 and established by Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, currently has an enrollment of 1.7 million students. 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: branches in U.A.E., United Kingdom, Lebanon and Afghanistan. Over the years, 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. Azad University admits students through the National Wide Entrance Examination held by the National (Iranian) Organization of Educational Testing.