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Islamic Azad University
Organisation

Islamic Azad University

Iran's largest private university; UAE branch closed by government order in March 2026.

Last refreshed: 1 April 2026

Key Question

Iran's largest university lost its UAE campus overnight; what happens to enrolled students?

Latest on Islamic Azad University

#541 Apr

UAE closes Iranian hospital, voids visas

Common Questions
Was Islamic Azad University closed in Dubai?
Yes, the UAE branch was closed around 14 March 2026 as part of a wider shutdown of Iranian institutions.Source: Wana EN
What is Islamic Azad University?
Iran's largest private university with over 400 branches and 1.5 million students, founded in 1982.

Background

Islamic Azad University is Iran's largest private university system, founded in 1982 with over 400 branches across Iran and several international campuses. Its UAE branch served Iranian expatriates and other students in Dubai.

Around 14 March 2026, UAE authorities ordered the closure of the university's UAE branch alongside the Iranian Hospital, five community schools, the Club of Iranians, and the Imam Hossein Mosque . Government-dispatched Iranian staff were ordered to leave the country and their visas cancelled.

The university's founding is linked to Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, who championed its expansion as a vehicle for mass higher education. Critics have alleged IRGC influence over some branches, a claim the UAE cited when justifying the closure.