International Islamic University Malaysia - Definition

The International Islamic University Malaysia was first conceived in 1982 by then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. It was officially opened on 10 May 1983 at Petaling Jaya, with the late Tun Hussein Onn elected as the first president.

Now, the university has moved to a sprawling 700 acres (2.8 km²) campus at Gombak, Kuala Lumpur. Meanwhile, the original campus in Petaling Jaya has been converted to a matriculation centre. Apart from these 2 campuses, IIU has 2 other campuses at the International Institute of Islamic Thought and Civilization (ISTAC), Kuala Lumpur and Kuantan, Pahang. IIU has 10 faculties (known as kulliyyah) of various disciplines and 12 excellence centres. Among the unique centres include the IIUM Breast Centre, a centre located at the Kuantan campus devoted to the research and diagnosis of breast cancer, the number one killer of women in Malaysia.

IIUM is a private university and operates under the direction of a Board of Governors with representatives the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC)as well as eight sponsoring governments. Nevertheless, the Head of the Constitution, President and Rector of this international university are all malaysians. The current Head of the Constitution is the Sultan of Pahang, Sultan Hj Ahmad Shah al-Musta'in Billah.

IIU started with just about 153 students in 1983 but today generate approximately 3,000 students per year.