Islamic Azad University (IAU)- دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی is an Iranian non-profit, non-governmental system of higher education founded in 1982, in response to an increasing social demand for specialized manpower and development I.A.U. is a dynamic and fast-growing university and its steady expansion is mirrored in the broad range and increased number of its undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses. Under five disciplines, I.A.U offers 66 fields of study courses in over 180 campuses in and out of the country. Currently, over 1,000,000 students are enrolled. On the global level, I.A.U is a member of several international associations including, the International Association of Universities, the International Association of University Presidents, Federation of the Universities of the Islamic World (F.U.I.W).
Headquartered in Tehran, Iran, the Islamic Azad University was founded in 1982 and currently has an enrollment of 1.5 million students, making it the world's third largest. 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.