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Islamic Azad University

Logo: This logo belongs to Islamic Azad University in Iran, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons3

Private university system in Iran

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.2 It was founded by Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.1 Wikipedia text CC BY-SA 4.0

Last updated Oct 21, 2026.

Overview

1982Founded1

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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.2

Corporate structure

Islamic Azad University sits at the top of its group. 89 entities, 1 country on record. Switch between the flow chart and the network, and select any entity to see its details.

  • Islamic Azad University
    • ANA News Agency Subsidiary · Tehrān
    • Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch Subsidiary · Tehran
    • Islamic Azad University of Najafabad Subsidiary · Najafabad
    • Islamic Azad University of Tabriz Subsidiary
    • Azad University Tehran medical Branch Subsidiary · Tehran, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University Dental Branch of Tehran Subsidiary · Tehran, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University Kurdistan Province Subsidiary · Sanandaj, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University North Tehran Branch Subsidiary · Tehran, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Ahar Subsidiary · Ahar, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Amol Subsidiary · Amol County, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Anzali Subsidiary · Bandar-e Anzali, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Arak Subsidiary · Arak, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Ardabil Subsidiary · Ardabil, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Arsanjan Subsidiary · Arsanjan, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Bandar Abbas Subsidiary · Bandar Abbas, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Birjand Subsidiary · Birjand, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Bojnord Subsidiary · Bojnord, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Borujerd Subsidiary · Borujerd, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Bostanabad Subsidiary · Bostanabad, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Bukan Subsidiary · Bukan, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Damavand Subsidiary · Damavand, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Dehaghan Subsidiary · Dehaqan, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Dezful Subsidiary · Dezful, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Falavarjan Subsidiary · Falavarjan, Iran
    • Islamic Azad University of Farahan Subsidiary · Farmahin, Iran
    • and 63 more

Built from subsidiaries, stakes and holdings from Wikidata (CC0); major holders from Schedules 13D and 13G. Each entity in the chart links to its source.

What it owns

What Islamic Azad University reports owning in its annual reports to the SEC: buildings, land and equipment, real estate and locations, investments, intangible assets and inventory, at the end of its latest fiscal year and a year before.

Stakes and holdings (Wikidata)

Things Wikidata records the company as owning, with the share when stated.1

The story

Founded by Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani in 1982.1

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 As of 2016, thousands of new students were enrolled annually. Not relying on government funding, the university 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.

From Wikipedia’s article on Islamic Azad University, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4

Leadership

Who has led Islamic Azad University, and when. Pick a name to see everywhere that person has worked.

Subsidiaries and ownership

Subsidiaries

  • Azad University Tehran medical Branch
  • Islamic Azad University Central Tehran Branch
  • Islamic Azad University Dental Branch of Tehran
  • Islamic Azad University Kurdistan Province
  • Islamic Azad University North Tehran Branch
  • Islamic Azad University Pharmaceutical Sciences Branch
  • Islamic Azad University Science and Research Branch
  • Islamic Azad University Shabestar
  • Islamic Azad University of Ahar
  • Islamic Azad University of Amol
  • Islamic Azad University of Anzali
  • Islamic Azad University of Arak
  • Islamic Azad University of Ardabil
  • Islamic Azad University of Arsanjan
  • Islamic Azad University of Bandar Abbas
  • Islamic Azad University of Birjand
  • Islamic Azad University of Bojnord
  • Islamic Azad University of Borujerd
  • Islamic Azad University of Bostanabad
  • Islamic Azad University of Bukan
  • Islamic Azad University of Damavand
  • Islamic Azad University of Dehaghan
  • Islamic Azad University of Dezful
  • Islamic Azad University of Falavarjan
All 87 subsidiaries
  • Islamic Azad University of Farahan
  • Islamic Azad University of Fasa
  • Islamic Azad University of Firuzkuh
  • Islamic Azad University of Garmsar
  • Islamic Azad University of Gorgan
  • Islamic Azad University of Hamadan
  • Islamic Azad University of Jahrom
  • Islamic Azad University of Jenah
  • Islamic Azad University of Karaj
  • Islamic Azad University of Kashan
  • Islamic Azad University of Kazerun
  • Islamic Azad University of Kerman
  • Islamic Azad University of Kermanshah
  • Islamic Azad University of Khomein
  • Islamic Azad University of Khomeynishahr
  • Islamic Azad University of Khorasgan
  • Islamic Azad University of Kish
  • Islamic Azad University of Komijan
  • Islamic Azad University of Lahijan
  • Islamic Azad University of Mahabad
  • Islamic Azad University of Mahshahr
  • Islamic Azad University of Majlesi
  • Islamic Azad University of Malard
  • Islamic Azad University of Mashhad
  • Islamic Azad University of Mehriz
  • Islamic Azad University of Meybod
  • Islamic Azad University of Meymeh
  • Islamic Azad University of Mobarakeh
  • Islamic Azad University of Najafabad
  • Islamic Azad University of Natanz
  • Islamic Azad University of Nishapur
  • Islamic Azad University of Parand
  • Islamic Azad University of Qaem Shahr
  • Islamic Azad University of Qeshm
  • Islamic Azad University of Qom
  • Islamic Azad University of Quchan
  • Islamic Azad University of Ray
  • Islamic Azad University of Rudehen
  • Islamic Azad University of Sabzevar
  • Islamic Azad University of Sari
  • Islamic Azad University of Saveh
  • Islamic Azad University of Semnan
  • Islamic Azad University of Shahinshahr
  • Islamic Azad University of Shahrekord
  • Islamic Azad University of Shahreza
  • Islamic Azad University of Shahrud
  • Islamic Azad University of Shiraz
  • Islamic Azad University of Shirvan
  • Islamic Azad University of Sirjan
  • Islamic Azad University of Tabriz
  • Islamic Azad University of Tafresh
  • Islamic Azad University of Takestan
  • Islamic Azad University of Tonekabon
  • Islamic Azad University of Varamin-Pishva
  • Islamic Azad University of Yazd
  • Islamic Azad University of Zanjan
  • Islamic Azad University, Damghan Branch
  • Islamic Azad University, Fars Science and Research Branch
  • Islamic Azad University, Marvdasht
  • Islamic Azad University, Miyaneh Branch
  • Islamic Azad University, Naragh Branch
  • Islamic Azad University, South Tehran Branch
  • Islamic Azad University, Tunkabon branch

Also owns

From Wikidata.1

Timeline

  1. 1982Founded Founded1

Sources

The numbers on this page point here. Each one links to the record it came from.

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