From Leading Universities to International Campuses: IIID Bridges Academia and Technology

December 7, 2025 — Iran International Innovation District (IIID) is intensifying the university–tech bond by embedding universities officially into its structure and linking Pardis Technology Park with Islamic Azad University, Pardis Science and Technology Campus, signaling a new era of academia–industry collaboration.

Iran International Innovation District (IIID) has showcased a fresh model of linking universities with technology, now formally incorporating higher-education institutions into its framework by Cabinet approval. This includes establishing a branch of Saint Petersburg State University (Russia) within IIID and linking Pardis Technology Park (PTP) with Islamic Azad University, Pardis Science and Technology Campus, illustrating IIID’s emergence as one of Iran’s most dynamic hubs for education, research, and entrepreneurship.

Under Article 5 of the Cabinet’s resolution on IIID, Tehran province’s scientific, academic, and research centers will be expanded with priority given to the region. Article 22 obliges IIID to enable the presence of foreign scientists, operation of international universities, student exchanges, and even establishment of branches of foreign universities; Article 33 calls for a School of Technology Governance in collaboration with universities.

In a landmark international development, a memorandum of understanding was signed to establish a branch of Saint Petersburg State University in IIID, emphasizing academic collaboration, technology transfer, and attracting international students. Mojtaba Jabbari-Pour, Deputy for Innovation Development at Pardis Technology Park, called this the first tangible step toward realizing Clause 22 of IIID.

In another milestone, Pardis Technology Park and Islamic Azad University, Pardis Science and Technology Campus, connected in Esfand 1400 (early 2022), a move designed to foster synergy, resource sharing, competency-based education, and commercialization of student achievements.

The long-term plan includes the construction of Khatam University in Phase 4 of IIID, with ten specialized faculties and supporting facilities to sustain industry–academic collaboration, and to advance commercialization of technologic成果.

IIID’s agenda also highlights the presence of domestic and international academic delegations, student visits, joint research programs, and capacity-building initiatives like the Sadaf program, reinforcing IIID as a key hub where university and industry interact.