Islamic Azad University English Bulletin - No. 9 - 05 Mar. 2016

The head of board of founders of the Islamic Azad University has stated that the IAU was a rare phenomenon that is still developing after 35 years. According to ISCA, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani expressed his high spirits at being present among the heads of IAU’s branches in the 70th IAU’s Central Council Meeting, and opened his remarks with the fact that anything that begins with pure, sincere goals will be supported by God. The president of the Expediency Discernment Council explained that IAU was created 35 years ago as a response to major shortcomings in higher education, such as lack of funding, social demand, and shortage of universities in the country: “A conversation between Dr. Jassbi and I sparked a thought. We came to the conclusion that in the face of the lack of facilities, we can make use of literate, educated personnel and cultural venues like Hussainias and mosques. On the other hand why not create some space where demands are so high?” Reminiscing about the shortcomings at the onset of establishing the university, Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani explained that after consulting with the late Imam Khomeini, the Former Supreme Leader of Iran immediately welcomed the initiative and donated one million Iranian tomans to cover its administrative costs.

Ayatollah Rafsanjani likened the Islamic Azad University to a great, overarching tree with many fruits and far-reaching branches which are now in almost every home. He emphasized that sincerity and pure, noble intent is the primary condition of institutionalization: “this university has no financial benefit for its founders. None of us have a margin or share in this university. The sole objective in opening the IAU has been to fulfill the needs of the people by relying on themselves.” He also mentioned the benefactors, members of parliament, and governors who stood by the university in its early days and were the pioneers in launching a branch in their region and that "all of these constructive achievements came about with God and the good of His people in mind, and with the aim of developing knowledge and allowing for the progress of the country. “ The president of Expediency Discernment Council pointed to IAU’s 50% contribution to national higher education and iterated that this capacity has been built by IAU without receiving any budget from the state. The current objectives of the university are in line with national interests, such as environmental protection, safe waste disposal and the conservation and improvement of the state of water.

IAU Supports Inventors

The president of Islamic Azad University has stated that many Iranian townships and cities have been developed following the opening of various IAU branches. IAU has improved the geography and climate of deprived areas and according UN and UNESCO reports, IAU is a global model for improvement. A c c o r d i n g t o I S C A ( I r a n S t u d e n t Correspondents Association), in his visit with faculty members, staffs, and representatives of student associations, Dr. Hamid Mirzadeh welcomed Dr. Ali Larijani, Speaker of the 9th Parliament of Iran, and pointed to the IAU’s 8th meeting of the board of trustees and issues which were resolved there. He also explained that SAHA (System of Azad Cooperative Labs) is a national plan that connects and integrates almost 11 thousand laboratories and workshops and all researchers, students, and IAU faculty members can make use of this network.

Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani:

The Islamic Azad University has grown into a Great, Fruitful Tree

Dr. Hamid Mirzadeh:

IAU has a definite 56% Contribution to National Higher Education

The chairman of the Expediency Discernment Council of Iran met with the Swiss president with an invitation to visit an IAU branch. ANA (Azad News Agency) reports that Ayatollah Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani met with the Switzerland president, Johann Schneider-Ammann. After observing the interest and enthusiasm of his guest for establishing academic collaboration with the Islamic Azad University, Ayatollah Rafsanjani extended an invitation for a tour of any IAU branch to provide a better picture of the strengths of the university. The chairman of Iran’s Expediency Council referred to Iran’s readiness in developing interaction and cooperation with developed countries, particularly Switzerland: “Switzerland has always been an example of a peaceful and neutral country; this was a highlight during the P5+1 nuclear negotiations with Iran, which made Switzerland the perfect host for resolving such a major and significant case to the benefit of the entire global community,” he explained.

Switzerland Eager for Academic Cooperation

with IAU

The president of Islamic Azad University and an entourage of IAU officials cast their votes in the Iranian elections for the parliament and Assembly of Experts. According to ISCA, Dr. Hamid Mirzadeh stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran was founded by the people and participating in the elections is a fundamental necessity for the stability of the system. Interviewed at one of the polling centers in Tehran when casting his votes, Dr. Mirzadeh remarked that "supporting the elections is our national and Islamic duty; today, the world will be witnessing the sustained support that Iranian people have for their system after 37 years, just as this support was manifested in their strong presence on the 22nd of Bahman (Feb. 11), celebrating the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution." Speaking on how he perceived the future after the elections and JCPOA, the president of the Islamic Azad university stated that with the combined opportunities that have come with favorable international conditions, the existence of a parliament which is aligned with the government is of utmost importance and value to the progress of the country.

Dr. Hamid Mirzadeh:

Presence of People Signifies National

Unity

UNESCO has opened a regional office in Islamic Azad University, Science and Research branch to facilitate national and international activities, with particular focus on environmental protection and sustainable development. In the opening ceremony for the UNESCO regional office, Gary Lewis, UNESCO representative in Iran, and Esther Kuisch Laroche, Director and Representative of the UNESCO Tehran Cluster Office, and officials from IAU were present. According to ANA (Azad News Agency), Dr. Majid Abbas-pour, head of the Environment and Energy faculty of the Science and Research branch, stated that the next step for this academic center is to encourage new ideas in the field of environment, renewable energies, and sustainable development.

UNESCO Regional Office Opens in S&R

IAU

IAU Medical Int’l Branches to Launch

Infrastructure Development Fund

An infrastructure development fund for Islamic Azad University medical science branches will be established to provide the necessary infrastructures for international admissions. ANA reports that setting up an infrastructural development fund was proposed in the meeting of the IAU medical sciences strategic steering committee for foreign relations development to meet the approved targets and financial demands for the infrastructure required for admitting international students in IAU’s international medical branches.

Juybar IAU Student Shines in 2016 Asian Freestyle Wrestling

Reza Yazdani, Student of Islamic Azad University, Juybar branch, has bagged the gold medal in the 97-kilogram weight class in 2016 Asian Freestyle Wrestling Championship. According to ANA (Azad News Agency), the freestyle encounters of the 2016 Asian Wrestling Championships were held in Bangkok with Iranian representatives of the second four weight classes meeting rivals. In the 97-kilogram weight class, Yazdani succeeded in winning against his Thai opponent with the result of 10-0 and in the next round he defeated the Uzbek combatant 11-0. In the semi-final stage, Yazdani triumphed over the Mongolian competitor and downed his rival from Kyrgyzstan in the final encounter.

The president of Islamic Azad University has presented the facts and figures on IAU in a report on the latest programs, achievements, and activities in the 70th IAU Central Council Meeting. According to reports from ISCA (Iran Student Correspondents Association) from the 70th IAU Central Council Meeting, Dr. Mirzadeh congratulated the audience on the 38th anniversary of establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran and also appreciated the presence of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, head

of IAU’s board of founders, the board of trustees, deputies, head of branches and centers, and other invitees. Dr. Mirzadeh adverted to the latest statistics and information of IAU’s achievements and stated that two reports entitled ّ“Flourishing Iran” and “Statistics Speak” with a focus on state achievements and economy respectively, were presented in the time of Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani's presidency, and the report on IAU’s latest facts and figures would be presented with the same style and passion. He explained that based on the statistics, among the 2855 governmental and non-governmental higher learning institutions, 505 of them belong to IAU which constitutes 17.7 percent of the country's higher education institutions. Dr. Mirzadeh also elaborated on the implementation of 6 integration projects in reorganizing the university structure, process amendment and monitoring, and also IAU’s 56% contribution to national higher education in this meeting.