Background
He was born on 25 November 1944 in Tehran, Iran.
He was born on 25 November 1944 in Tehran, Iran.
Degree in Industrial Engineering from Iran University of Science and Technology, an Master of Science in Industrial Management and a Doctor of Philosophy in Management of Production & Technology, both from Aston University, United Kingdom. His Doctor of Philosophy thesis (1979) was entitled "Productivity analysis and measurement". After receiving his Doctor of Philosophy, he became a college teacher at Iran University of Science and Technology.
He was also a presidential candidate in 1993 and 2001. He went to East"tezad School at the age of 7 and complete his six years high school period in Tehran. He has Bachelor of Science
After the victory of the Iranian Revolution, he came back to his academic career in 1979.
He was appointed as Vice President of Iran University of Science and Technology in March 1979.
In 1982, he proposed a plan for the establishment of Islamic Azad University. He was elected as its first president in January 1983 and served in this position for nearly 30 years.
He was succeeded by Farhad Daneshjoo. He was one of the supporters of Ruhollah Khomeini during 1979 Iranian Revolution.
After the victory of the revolution, he served many official positions.
In July 1979, he became senior adviser to the Minister of Interior, Hashem Sabbaghian. He was appointed as Deputy Prime Minister in Academic affairs by Prime Minister Mohammad-Ali Rajai. He was also Secretary General of Islamic Republican Party from 1981 to 1983.
He was nominated as one of the candidates in 1993 presidential election and received 1,511,574 and lost the election to the Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani.
He was also presidential candidate of Executives of Construction Party during 2001 presidential election but only received 237,907 of votes and ranked in fourth place which Mohammad Khatami was reelected for a second term.
He also became a member of the board of directors of the university in 1970 but he was fired from the university in 1975 after supporting Ruhollah Khomeini. He announced his retirement from Azad University in November 2011 and officially resigned on 17 January 2012, but remained as one of the members of the board of directors of the university.