Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch

Azad University of Falavarjan Entrance view of the neighboring area from inside of building

The Islamic Azad University, Falavarjan Branch^[1] 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.

Foundation and early years

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.^[2]

Falavarjan Azad University central building

Move to new location

Azad University of Falavarjan Admin Building and Bio Lab

In 1988 following months of negotiation between Falavarjan governor county, the university and Mr. Keyyani(Kiani) one of the well known local wealthy people, with mediation of the University President of the time, 5000 sq m of his land has been donated to the university and rezoned by the local Falavarjan county government from agricultural to educational land. This was a breakthrough as it paved the way for expanding Azad University of Falavarjan in one of the most densely populated areas of the province because of its quality and business value. The building under construction on the first property later was used for administration purposes and all schools and expansions were built on the new land in the next 27 years until now.

Campus

Governance and academics

Faculties and schools

Azad University of Falavarjan has following 9 active faculties:

Biology, Microbiology

Biology, Microbiology together with Arabic literature school were the first two schools that started accepting students in 1985. Department of Biology, began its activities on October 1987 with admission of undergraduate students in general biology . Since March 2004 with the approval of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology, ithas expanded to add a degree in Animal Biology and Plant Biology.

Biochemistry School

Department of Biochemistry started its activities on 1987 with 5 courses to provide Biochemistry to Biology students with one faculty member. Later in 2002 it became an independent group in collaboration with a number of professors of biochemistry well known in the field such as full Professor Seyed Ali Asghar Moshtaghi, the founder of the professional doctorate degree for Clinical Biochemistry in Iran and also a faculty member with the rank of associate professor, and two faculty members with Scientific Assistant rank. They provided biochemistry courses at different levels, particularly in higher education in the fields of biochemistry, biology, microbiology, genetics, biotechnology, nursing and midwifery services. One of the achievements of this group is that it is the only biology group that provides all BA, MA and PhD degrees in Iran.

Arabic literature School

Azad university of Falavarjan Nursing building and Language Lab

Started in 1985 was the first school founded and accepted students.

Nursing School

Nursing School Building in Azad University of Falavarjan

Founded in 1995 this school has currently 502 students in nursing.

Midwifery School

Midwifery School started its activities from 1993 with 25 students in 2 years course and later in 2007 started its BA program after years of success and now services 373 students.

English Literature School

Department of English was established in 2003 as an independent group. The group currently offers the associate degree and BA in Teaching English.

Accounting School

Department of Accounting was established in 2002 and offers associate degree and bachelor's degree in accounting. It also started to offer a master's degree from 2012.

Computer Science School

Established in 2005 to support and offer computer science courses to other groups, started to offer BA in computer science since 2010.

Graduate Studies School

The activities of this unit started by offering MA degree in Arabic literature. The admission for graduate studies in the field of animal physiology, biochemistry, plant physiology, biophysics, and the chemistry started in 2009. In October 2014 it started offering a PhD in microbiology and biochemistry. It is notable that offering MSc in Phytochemistry already has been approved.

Finances

Finances generally in Islamic Azad University branches come from three sources, the donations mainly at the start of the branch, by tuition from students that mostly pays for day to day expenses, and through very limited government/bank loans case by case like any other business. In Falavarjan Branch, the land and the initial investment came from donations and the buildings have been built in the pat 30 years through university investment, donations, and other financial plans.

Student life

References