The initial faculty of BIHE was largely comprised of Baha’i professionals (e.g. physicians, dentists, lawyers, engineers) and former university professors, who once held teaching positions at government-run universities in Iran, but who because of their affiliation with the Bahá’í Faith and the increasing systematic oppression of the Bahá’ís in that country, had been expelled from universities. This group of volunteer professors and instructors, many of whom are still with BIHE, formed the foundation for an ever-growing body of other volunteers inside and outside the country.

Once the first cohort of students graduated, inspired by the spirit and devotion of the founding professors, they began preparation to rejoin BIHE as members of faculty and staff. Many completed their postgraduate studies at the finest universities around the world and returned to Iran. This new young group of professors and educators are now a significant segment of the faculty, and guarantee the sustainable growth of the BIHE academic staff.

Since 2005, the online component of BIHE has allowed a growing international body of volunteer university professors outside Iran, known as the Affiliated Global Faculty (AGF), to join efforts with their colleagues and assistants inside the country. The AGF comprises professors holding PhD degrees, who work and reside in North America, Europe, Australia, Africa, Latin America and Asia. Indeed, the diversity of the teaching staff is one of the unique and impressive features of this university.

This remarkable team of active volunteers, which now has grown to over 700 instructors and professors, most of them residing in the country, has tirelessly devoted its expertise over the last three decades to the development and implementation of a top notch university curriculum in various programs.

BIHE programs are privileged to have an extraordinary group of professors and lecturers who bring a cooperative-spirit to teach courses and assist in the implementation of programs. The names of some professors and lecturers in each program are indicated in program description.

The Affiliated Global Faculty (AGF), numbering over 1,000 from 69 countries, are offering their services as BIHE faculty members. Sixty per cent of these volunteers are themselves university faculty while another 20% are industry experts. The remainders are researchers or postgraduate degree candidates. One third of the AGF volunteers have taught one or more courses for BIHE since 2005. As of Fall 2021, AGF teach 106 courses each semester, approximately one-fourth at postgraduate level. AGF also serve as graduate thesis supervisors, serve on advisory bodies for the various graduate level programs, and organize and operate a Writing Laboratory for an expanding group of students.

The AGF are supported by the AGF Desk. The AGF Desk serves as a liaison between the various BIHE departments that use its services and the AGF themselves. Its functions include recruitment, orientation, technical support, and quality monitoring which happens twice during each semester. With the availability of such collaborations, graduate students enjoy a group of global faculty who are highly skilled practitioners, specialists, executives and influential role models.