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Islamic Azad University

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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.[6][7]

Islamic Azad University
  • دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی

Dāneshgāh-e Āzād-e Eslāmi
Seal of the Islamic Azad University
Other name
IAU, Azad University
MottoNo official motto

Unofficial mottoes:
اطلب العلم من المهد الى اللحد (Arabic)
ز گهواره تا گور دانش بجوی
آرمان ایرانی برای جهانی شدن
یادگیری و زندگی

(Persian)
Motto in English
No official motto[1]

Unofficial mottoes include:

Seek Knowledge from the Cradle to the Grave
Iranian Aspirations for Globalization
Learn and Live
TypePrivate university system[2]
EstablishedMay 21, 1982; 42 years ago (1982-05-21)[1]
FounderAbdollah Jassbi
Academic affiliations
SCRC
MSRT
MOHME
AUAP
ASAIHL
FUIW
IAU
IAUP
Endowment$10 billion (2023)[1]
Budget$0.7 billion (2023)[1]
ChairmanAli Akbar Velayati
PresidentMohammad Mehdi Tehranchi[3][4][1]
Vice-presidentAli Sorouri-majd
Academic staff
53,789 { 21,273 (Full-time) & 286 (Part-time) + 32,230 (Visiting and Adjunct) } (2023)[1]
Administrative staff
29,117 (2023)[1]
Students1,177,977 (2023)[1]
Undergraduates~916,654[1]
Postgraduates~199,126[1]
~62,197 (including professional doctorate, medicine and residency)[1]
Location
  • Iran
  • United Kingdom
  • United Arab Emirates
  • Lebanon
  • Afghanistan
Campus33 Universities (2 Independent and 31 state university in 367 branches) and 1,051 Sama Schools under direct administration (2023)
MediaFarhikhteghan Newspaper, Azad News Agency (ANA), Isca News Agency
Colours   Dark and light blue[5]
Sporting affiliations
Websitewww.iau.ac.ir

History

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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.[8][9][10] 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.[11] IAU has an enrollment of over 1.5 million students.[11] 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.[12] The university has accumulated assets estimated to be worth $20–25 billion.[1][13]

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.[13]

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.[12]

Endowment controversy

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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.[14]

Governance

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  • The Board of Founders
  • The Board of Trustees
  • The President of the university
  • The University Council

Board of Founders

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The board consists of nine people, including Ali Akbar Velayati (Head of Board), Abdollah Jassbi, Ali Akbar Nategh-Nouri, Hassan Khomeini, Mohsen Qomi, Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, Abdul-Karim Mousavi Ardebili, Hamid Mirzadeh and one vacant position.

Board of trustees

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Members include:

Board of directors

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The administration of the university is the Rector of the University Board of Trustees and approved the proposal of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution and the decision of the President of the board of trustees is appointed for a term of four years.

Presidents

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President Tenure Alma mater Speciality
Abdollah Jassbi 1982–2012   Aston University Industrial Engineering and Management
Farhad Daneshjoo 2012–2013   University of Westminster Civil and Earthquake Engineering
Hamid Mirzadeh 2013–2017   University of New South Wales Polymer Engineering and Biomaterials
Ali Mohammad Noorian (acting) 2017–2017   University of Wales Electrical Engineering and Physics
Farhad Rahbar 2017–2018   University of Tehran Theoretical Economics
Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi 2018–present   Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology Applied Physics and Advanced Materials

Organization and administration

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Central Organization (University System):

  • Vice Presidency for Research, Technology and Innovation
  • Vice Presidency for Student and Cultural Affairs
  • Vice Presidency for Development and Resource Management (Financial and Administrative Affairs)
  • Vice Presidency for International Affairs and Non-Iranian Students
  • Vice Presidency for Science, Engineering and Agriculture (Academic and Post Graduate Affairs)
  • Vice Presidency for Medical Sciences
  • Vice Presidency for Humanities and Arts
  • Vice Presidency for Parliamentary Affairs and Social Relations
  • Vice Presidency for General Education and Skills Training (Sama)
  • Research Institute and Laboratory Networks
  • Science and Technology Park
  • Center of Admissions
  • Center for Martyrs and Veterans Affairs
  • Center for Provincial Board of Trustees
  • Center for Audit of the Board of Trustees
  • Center of Construction and Real Estate
  • Center of Monitoring, Inspection and Complaints
  • Policy Institute of Strategic Studies
  • Law Office
  • Cultural Center of Imam Khomeini and the Islamic Revolution
  • Knowledge Based Economy and Finance Council
  • Trading Commission
  • Research and Technology Fund

Branches and campuses

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The Islamic Azad University has two independent[15] and 31 state university branches with 367 campuses in Iran, and four branches overseas, as well as a range of research centers, hospitals, laboratories, workshops, sports facilities, recreational areas and ICT facilities. It now welcomes not only local but also international students. There are 1051 Sama schools affiliated to the university, along with 118 skill and entrepreneurship colleges.[1][16]

Branches are listed below.

Branch Type Founded Enrollment
Science and Research Independent Comprehensive 1984 ~ 50,000
Central Tehran Comprehensive, Head of Tehran state universities 1982 ~ 50,000
Najafabad Independent Comprehensive 1985 ~ 20,000
South Tehran Comprehensive 1985 ~ 40,000
North Tehran Comprehensive 1985 ~ 40,000
Tehran Medical Comprehensive 1985 ~ 25,000
Karaj Comprehensive 1984 ~ 40,000
Tabriz Comprehensive 1982 ~ 20,000
Qazvin Comprehensive 1992 ~ 15,000
Mashhad Comprehensive 1982 ~ 30,000
Isfahan Comprehensive 1983 ~ 20,000

Campuses in the City of Tehran

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Branch Type Founded Enrollment
Central Organization University System 1982 N/A
Science and Research Independent Comprehensive 1984 ~ 50,000
Central Tehran Comprehensive, Head of Tehran state universities 1982 ~ 50,000
South Tehran Comprehensive 1985 ~ 40,000
North Tehran Comprehensive 1985 ~ 40,000
West Tehran Semi Comprehensive 1994 ~ 20,000
East Tehran Semi Comprehensive 2001 ~ 10,000
Medical Tehran Medicine, Dental, Pharmaceutical Science & Biology 1985 ~ 25,000
Electronic Electronic 2008 ~ 20,000
Fereshtegan International People with special needs 2019 ~ 1,000
Farshchian Islamic Iranian Art Islamic Iranian Art 2018 ~ 1,000

Two-year institutions

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Vice Presidency for General Education and Skills Training:

  • 118 skill and entrepreneurship colleges
  • Skills Training Schools

Educational institutions (K-12)

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Vice Presidency for General Education and Skills Training:

  • Sama Schools (1051 pre schools, primary schools, secondary schools, elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and university-preparatory schools)

Overseas branches

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The Azad University in Oxford (AUO) at the outskirts of the city of Oxford in the UK, was established in 2004 to support IAU's international collaboration activities. Through its links with the UK universities and research centers, the AUO provides services to the students and staff of IAU as well as other students and organisations around the world.[17]

In 1995, a branch was opened in Dubai.[18]

International offices

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The Islamic Azad University has international offices in Russia, Italy, Germany, France, the UK, UAE, Lebanon and Afghanistan.[19]

State universities

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IAU has 31 state universities (provincial universities) located throughout the provinces of Iran. Digits in parentheses indicate the number of branches in current province.

Admissions

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From the establishment of Islamic Azad University in 1982 to 2013, the admission process of students was through Islamic Azad University's entrance exam which was designed, held, and scored independently by the private university system. Post-2013, its entrance exam was merged with the Public University System. It holds the national entrance exam and some students who get admitted through this process would be exempt from paying any tuitions. However, Islamic Azad University requires tuition which varies by different factors such as program, degree, and location.[20][21]

The university accepts nearly 320,000 students annually (10,000 PhD, 3,000 Professional Doctorate and Medicine, 57,000 Masters, 200,000 Bachelors and 50,000 Associates).

Distribution of students

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In the academic year 2021–2022:

Field of study Percent
Humanities and Social Sciences 50.11%
Engineering and Technology 32.32%
Arts and Architecture 8.72%
Medical Science and Veterinary Medicine 4.46%
Basic Sciences 2.97%
Agriculture and Natural Resources 1.42%
Total[1] 100%
Level of study (degree) Percent
Associate 12.97%
Bachelor's 64.23%
Master's 16.52%
Professional Doctorate 1.67%
Residency (medicine) 0.01%
Ph.D. 4.58%
Total[1] 100%

Distribution of graduates

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In the academic year 2021–2022:

Field of study Percent
Humanities 50.71%
Engineering 30.54%
Arts and Architecture 8.99%
Basic Sciences 2.47%
Agriculture and Natural Resources 1.66%
Medical Sciences 1.33%
Veterinary 1.01%
Applied Sciences, Training and General Majors 3.30%
Total[1] 100%
Level of study (degree) Percent
Associate 28.02%
Bachelor's 56.30%
Master's 14.87%
Professional Doctorate 0.44%
Ph.D. 0.35%
Total[1] 100%

Medical centers

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IAU' medical centers include:[1]

(Not included Veterinary Medicine and Clinical and Health Psychology)

  • 107 branches in medical sciences
  • 1669 faculty members
  • 43,728 medical sciences students
  • 72 majors in different levels

There are 825 active beds in 10 hospitals in Iran, and has 1273 approval beds. Each medical center serves as the primary teaching site for that campus's medical school. Some hospitals are listed below:

  • Farhikhtegan Hospital in Tehran, Iran[22]
  • Bou-Ali (Avicenna) Hospital in Tehran, Iran
  • Amiralmomenin Hospital in Tehran, Iran
  • Javaheri Hospital in Tehran, Iran
  • 22 Baham Hospital in Mashhad, Iran
  • Aria Hospital in Mashhad, Iran
  • Yazd Hospital
  • Khatamalanbia Hospital
  • Rhazes Hospital
  • Katalem Hospital

Main Library

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The Islamic Azad University Libraries Affairs manages various libraries for over 360 branches of Islamic Azad Universities nationwide. These libraries provide valuable services to more than 1.2 million students, faculty, and researchers.

IAU Journals

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The IAU branches are publishing 508 scientific journals, of which 145 are in the English Language. [2].

Rankings

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U.S. News & World Report rankings

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2023 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]
  • Global Ranking: 394
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 77
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 117
  • Artificial Intelligence: 55
  • Biology and Biochemistry: 299
  • Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology: 136
  • Chemical Engineering: 36
  • Chemistry: 136
  • Civil Engineering: 14
  • Clinical Medicine: 644
  • Computer Science: 234
  • Condensed Matter Physics: 124
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering: 110
  • Energy and Fuels: 40
  • Engineering: 37
  • Environment/Ecology: 367
  • Food Science and Technology: 84
  • Geosciences: 385
  • Materials Science: 267
  • Mathematics: 29
  • Mechanical Engineering: 4
  • Optics: 83
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology: 181
  • Physical Chemistry: 90
  • Physics: 200
  • Plant and Animal Science: 356
  • Polymer Science: 9
  • Water Resources: 30
2022 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]
  • Global Ranking: 434
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 75
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 114
  • Biology and Biochemistry: 379
  • Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology: 152
  • Chemical Engineering: 36
  • Chemistry: 145
  • Civil Engineering: 15
  • Clinical Medicine: 694
  • Computer Science: 160
  • Condensed Matter Physics: 116
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering: 115
  • Energy and Fuels: 36
  • Engineering: 44
  • Environment/Ecology: 378
  • Food Science and Technology: 77
  • Geosciences: 346
  • Materials Science: 244
  • Mathematics: 45
  • Mechanical Engineering: 3
  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: 247
  • Optics: 118
  • Pharmacology and Toxicology: 229
  • Physical Chemistry: 98
  • Physics: 205
  • Plant and Animal Science: 389
  • Polymer Science: 27
2021 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]
  • Global Ranking: 445
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 72
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 117
  • Biology and Biochemistry: 441
  • Biotechnology and Applied Microbiology: 176
  • Chemical Engineering: 29
  • Chemistry: 110
  • Civil Engineering: 23
  • Clinical Medicine: 725
  • Computer Science: 193
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering: 105
  • Energy and Fuels: 39
  • Engineering: 47
  • Environment/Ecology: 373
  • Materials Science: 232
  • Mathematics: 31
  • Mechanical Engineering: 1
  • Nanoscience and Nanotechnology: 204
  • Physics: 228
  • Plant and Animal Science: 397
2020 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]
  • Global Ranking: 454
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 69
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 84
  • Biology and Biochemistry: 466
  • Chemistry: 121
  • Civil Engineering: 35
  • Computer Science: 110
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering: 93
  • Engineering: 44
  • Materials Science: 225
  • Mathematics: 29
  • Mechanical Engineering: 5
  • Physics: 235
  • Plant and Animal Science: 432

2018 Best Global Universities Ranking[23]

  • Global Ranking: 497
  • Regional (Asia) Ranking: 76
  • Country Ranking: 2
Subject ranking
  • Agricultural Sciences: 132
  • Chemistry: 136
  • Computer Science: 119
  • Engineering: 38
  • Materials Science: 104
  • Mathematics: 21
  • Physics: 369

CWUR - The Center for World University Rankings

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2021-2022 Ranking:[24]

  • World Rank: 372
  • National Rank: 1
  • Quality of Education Rank: NA
  • Alumni Employment Rank: NA
  • Quality of Faculty Rank: NA
  • Research Performance Rank: 342
  • Overall Score: 75.7

SciVisions rankings

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2017: International rank: 938, National rank: 5, Regional Rank: 24 (SRBIAU)[25]

SCImago rankings

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2013: International rank: 87, National rank: 1, Regional Rank: 1[26]

2012: International rank: 231, National rank: 1, Regional Rank: 2[27]

CWTS Leiden Ranking

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2014: World rank: 252, Country rank: 11, Regional rank: 194[28]

URAP – University Ranking by Academic Performance

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2013: World rank: 161, Country rank: 1, Regional rank: 25[29]

2012: World rank: 226, Country rank: 2, Regional rank: 34[30]

ISC rankings

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[31][32][33]

Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2010
Rank Branch Score
1 Tabriz 4.27
2 Mashhad 3.51
3 Central Tehran 3.06
4 Karaj 2.61
5 North Tehran 2.48
6 Najafabad 1.37
7 Isfahan (Khorasgan) 1.35
8 Shahrekord 1.30
9 Quchan 1.26
10 Ardabil 1.19
Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2011
Rank Branch Score
1 Science and Research 100
2 Mashhad 23.75
3 Karaj 18.53
4 South Tehran 18.21
5 Isfahan (Khorasgan) 13.5
6 North Tehran NA
7 Najafabad NA
8 Qazvin NA
9 Central Tehran NA
10 Yazd NA
Top 10 branches of the Islamic Azad University in 2012[34]
Rank Branch Score
1 Science and Research 100
2 Karaj 99.85
3 Mashhad 99.58
4 Tabriz 99.33
5 Isfahan (Khorasgan) 98.58
6 Arak 96.82
7 North Tehran 95.51
8 Saveh 95.10
9 Shahreza 94.58
10 South Tehran 94.06
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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "General Catalog 2021-2022". intl.iau.ir. Archived from the original on 2022-07-01. Retrieved 2022-01-15.
  2. ^ "EDUCATION vii. SURVEY OF MODERN EDUCATION – Encyclopaedia Iranica". www.iranicaonline.org. Archived from the original on 2012-01-26. Retrieved 2012-01-26.
  3. ^ "انتصاب سرپرست دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی". 23 April 2017. Archived from the original on 26 April 2017. Retrieved 23 April 2017.
  4. ^ "IAU General Catalog 2015-2016". Archived from the original on 2020-06-26. Retrieved 2020-06-24.
  5. ^ "Islamic Azad University Logotype usage guidelines" (PDF). Islamic Azad University. Archived (PDF) from the original on November 12, 2013. Retrieved January 26, 2012.
  6. ^ "The Largest Universities in the World by Enrollment". WorldAtlas. 2018-03-15. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  7. ^ Staff Writers (2009-11-23). "Top 10 Largest Universities in the World -". collegestats.org. Retrieved 2021-11-03.
  8. ^ "کنکور سراسری در ایران به محاق می رود؟". BBC News فارسی (in Persian). 2011-07-01. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  9. ^ "در مورد دانشگاه آزاد در ویکی تابناک بیشتر بخوانید". www.tabnak.ir. Archived from the original on 2018-09-19. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  10. ^ "Back to the Future in Iran's Election". The National Interest. Archived from the original on 26 April 2019. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  11. ^ a b Zep Kalb (2017). "Neither Dulati nor Khosusi: Islam, Education and Civil Society in Post-1989 Iran". Iranian Studies. 50 (4): 575–600. doi:10.1080/00210862.2017.1295345.
  12. ^ a b "Gholamreza Rahimi, Ghader Vazifeh Damirch, "Islamic Azad University Roles in Scientific Development of Iran", Interdisciplinary Journal of Research in Business, Vol. 1, Issue. 9, (pp. 84–91), September–October 2011" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2012-07-12. Retrieved 2013-09-21.
  13. ^ a b "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived (PDF) from the original on 2016-02-05. Retrieved 2010-08-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  14. ^ "The battle over Islamic Azad University". Foreign Policy. Archived from the original on 22 May 2013. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  15. ^ "دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی نجف‌آباد، واحد جامع مستقل شد/ واحد جامع مستقل تابع استان نیست". Archived from the original on 2015-12-22. Retrieved 2015-12-14.
  16. ^ [1] [permanent dead link‍]
  17. ^ رزمی. "General Directorate of International Affairs - اداره کل بین الملل دانشگاه آزاد اسلامی - Oxford Campus". intl.iau.ir. Archived from the original on 2015-07-03. Retrieved 2015-07-02.
  18. ^ "At a glance - Islamic azad university U.A.E Branch". iau.ae. Archived from the original on 2016-10-07. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  19. ^ "راه اندازی ۱۶ دفتر بین المللی دانشگاه آزاد در خارج از کشور - خبرگزاری مهر | اخبار ایران و جهان | Mehr News Agency". Archived from the original on 2019-04-21. Retrieved 2020-10-07.
  20. ^ "کنکور سراسری و دانشگاه آزاد باهم ادغام می شوند". Retrieved 2021-03-27.
  21. ^ "شهریه رشته ها و تسهیلات دانشجویی". Archived from the original on 2021-03-04. Retrieved 2021-03-27.
  22. ^ "Farhikhtegan Hospital at SRBIAU near completion in near future , Development Vice President announces - Islamic Azad University،Science And Research Branch". Islamic Azad University،Science And Research Branch. Archived from the original on 2018-03-18. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
  23. ^ a b c d e "U.S. News & World Report Ranking".
  24. ^ "CWUR".
  25. ^ "SciVisions". www.scivisions.com. Archived from the original on 2018-03-17. Retrieved 2018-03-17.
  26. ^ "SIR Global 2013 - Rank: Output" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  27. ^ "SIR Global 2012 - Rank: Output" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2013-09-21. Retrieved 2013-09-15.
  28. ^ (CWTS), Centre for Science and Technology Studies. "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2016". leidenranking.com. Archived from the original on 11 May 2015. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  29. ^ "URAP - University Ranking by Academic Performance". Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  30. ^ "URAP - University Ranking by Academic Performance". Archived from the original on 31 May 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  31. ^ "نخستین رتبه‌بندی رسمی دانشگاه‌ها و مراکز تحقیقاتی کشور اعلام شد". Archived from the original on 23 July 2015. Retrieved 16 July 2015.
  32. ^ "رتبه بندی دانشگاه ها و موسسات پژوهشی ایران و کشورهای اسلامی". isc.gov.ir. Archived from the original on 24 November 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  33. ^ "Ranking of Iran Universities and Research Institution". isc.gov.ir. Archived from the original on 23 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
  34. ^ "Rank Iran Azad University". ur.isc.gov.ir. Archived from the original on 28 August 2017. Retrieved 1 January 2017.
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35°43′58″N 51°23′20″E / 35.7328°N 51.3889°E / 35.7328; 51.3889

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