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Welcome to The Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education

The Bahá'í Institute for Higher Education (BIHE) was founded in 1987 in response to the Iranian government's continuing campaign to deny Iranian Bahá'ís access to higher education. As its graduates excel in post-graduate studies internationally, BIHE's commitment to high academic standards, international collaboration, and its innovative teaching-learning environment is increasingly recognized. BIHE offers 56 university-level programs across 5 faculties and continues to develop and deliver academic programs in Sciences, Engineering, Business and Management, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Faced with unrelenting religious persecution involving a wide range of human rights violations, including systematic denial of access to higher education, BIHE developed several unique features which have become its defining strengths. Courses delivered at the outset by correspondence, were soon complemented by in-person classes and tutoring. Over time, this was accompanied by leading-edge communication and education technologies . In addition, an affiliated global faculty (AGF) has been established comprised of hundreds of professors from accredited universities outside Iran who support BIHE as researchers, instructors, and consultants.

The need to create a new university for those who were denied access to higher education captivated the talents and minds of exceptional faculty and staff from within Iran. For over thirty five years they have dedicated their efforts to building an exemplary institution and cultivating a student body prepared for fulfilling careers, further studies, and social responsibilities. BIHE provides its students with the necessary knowledge and skills to not only persevere and succeed in their academic and professional pursuits, but to be active agents of change for the betterment of the world.

Programs

International Recognition

Many distinguished universities from around the world have extended invitations to BIHE graduates for further education. The university has been recognized for its “constructive resilience” approach that has enabled it to function in adverse situations. See a partial list of universities and learn about the latest recognition.

Distinctive Features

Intellectual Pursuit

BIHE fosters in its students the pursuit of knowledge as a means to both personal progress and collective advancement of society. Inspired both by the principles and values of religion and the methods of science, BIHE empowers learners to lead ethical lives with a spirit of service and conviction in pursuit of truth, beauty and unity in diversity.

Constructive Resilience

With a distinctively non-adversarial and innovative approach to social change, BIHE reflects in all aspects of its work the features of constructive resilience, characterized by a search for creative ways to work towards a peaceful and prosperous future by building and maintaining just and vibrant patterns of community life amidst systematic and often violent attacks.

A Participatory Model

Founded on the principle of unity of humankind and promoted by altruistic and selfless efforts and contributions of diverse groups, BIHE provides a supportive environment of fellowship and cooperation for all its students and collaborators.

Locally Grounded and Globally Connected

Built on grassroots resources and around a local organization and leadership, BIHE utilizes the expertise and capabilities of a large group of its native collaborators and a sizable Affiliated Global Faculty.