Prof. Said Irandoust is a globally respected higher education leader and strategist, known for building institutions that transcend borders and redefine impact. A Swedish national with a track record spanning Europe, Asia, and Africa, he currently serves as the founding Rector of the American University of Technology (AUT) in Tashkent, Uzbekistan—an ambitious new institution powered by Arizona State University and designed to fuse global academic standards with regional relevance. Across four decades, Prof. Irandoust has led transformative initiatives at the intersection of education, innovation, and development. He has served as President of the Asian Institute of Technology (AIT) in Thailand, Vice Chancellor of the University of Borås in Sweden, and Rector of the Afro American University of Central Africa. His leadership consistently centers on one goal: building inclusive, future-ready universities that expand opportunity and serve national and global priorities. Beyond university leadership, Prof. Irandoust has advised governments, ministries, and international organizations on education reform and institutional innovation. His recent collaboration with UNESCO on the “Flagship Campus Africa” initiative reflects his enduring commitment to equity, access, and the strategic role of higher education in sustainable development. Prof. Irandoust is also a recognized entrepreneur in the academic sector, having co-founded or revitalized several institutions, including the Indonesia International Institute for Life Sciences (i3L), Albukhary International University (Malaysia), and the International Institute of Innovation & Intellectual Capital (Belgium). Across these projects, he has introduced bold new models of governance, financing, and academic delivery—demonstrating how universities can remain globally competitive while deeply serving local needs. He is a recipient of numerous international honours, including the Medal of Progress from the President of Azerbaijan, an award for Outstanding Contribution to Education from India, and honorary doctorates from institutions in Russia and the Philippines. At the heart of his leadership lies a deeply human philosophy: that universities are not just systems, but communities—and that visionary change is only possible when people are empowered to lead, innovate, and grow together.
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