Tasnim � Dr. Farhad Rahbar, an Iranian economist and ex-chancellor of Tehran University, was appointed the new head of the Islamic Azad University.

Members of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Azad University held a meeting on Sunday morning in the Iranian capital, Tehran, and elected Rahbar as the new president of the private university.

The board overwhelmingly voted in favor of Rahbar and introduced him to Iran's Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution for final approval.

The issue of Rahbar�s appointment will be raised during the first session of the Council, and he will officially commence his new role after the approval. He is now serving as the temporary head of the Azad University according to a decision by the board on Sunday.

The Iranian academic and economist will replace Hamid Mirzadeh who served as the university�s president for 3.5 years.

Founded in 1982, the Islamic Azad University is a private network of academic centers. It has more than 30 state university branches with 400 campuses and research centers across the country. The IAU has several overseas branches as well.

Head of the Founding Council and Board of Trustees of the Islamic Azad University Ali Akbar Velayati said recently that the academic institution has focused on supporting neighboring and friendly countries as part of its international plans.