Islamic Azad University of Falavarjan

The Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch was founded in 1984 by Dr. Seyed Ali Mirlohi Falavarjani who was an academic professor in University of Isfahan and a publicly trusted figure in his city of birth, Falavarjan. Opening this university was a very ambitious move and helped by the Falavarjan county Governor of the time Mr. Rostami, a local Ayatollah, Shariat and donation of 2 acre of land and equal today money of five hundred thousands Dollars donation by local businessmen and local government. Islamic Azad University in Iran is one of the greatest success stories of higher education in Iran and the region, if not in the world. Since its inception in 1982, it has grown profoundly, both physically and academically, to become one of the largest HE institutions globally.

History:

Islamic Azad university was founded in 1982 in Tehran, Iran as a tool to respond to ever growing demand for higher education in Iran as well as spreading higher education centers across the country of Iran. Falavarjan, with more than 2000 years of history, located 10 km from city of Isfahan Falavarjan with more than 180,000 population in 1984 volunteered to provide the facilities needed for opening Azad University of Falavarjan. The requirements for opening a new branch set by Dr. Abdollah Jassbi were:

1-An agreement letter signed by a committee including county governor (Mr. Rostami), the Friday Imam(Ayatollah Shariat) and few local trustee and

2-Providing $500,000 in today's currency value and

3-Introduction of well known academic figure as the founder and president who all member of the committee agree on him (they agreed on Dr. Seyed Ali Mirlohi Falavarjani).

Dr. Seyed Ali Mirlohi Falavarjani was introduced and, after accepting the position, Dr. Jassbi formally announced him as the founder and the first president of the university. The first place donated was the building owned jointly by the county government and the agricultural department. It is located on Ferdosi Avenue in Falavarjan. It was a one-half acre property on which the new administration building was later built. Finding the right academic faculty to open new majors was the hardest task that early president was faced. Dr. Mirlohi managed to attract a group of highly qualified professors from Isfahan University to cooperate as part-time faculty. This paved the way for the university to open two subjects in Arabic literature and Microbiology. The academic figures that accepted cooperated, because of the founder's influence and prestige, with the University of Falavarjan and surprised all other academic units as many of them were internationally recognized.