History
Payame Noor University was established in 1988 as the only open and distance learning university in the Islamic Republic of Iran by integrating the University of Abureihane Birouni and Iran Azad University. The University took its first intake in five degree programs at 28 study centers.
Education
PNU educational system is focused on student, content as well as coordinated and unified exams administered throughout the country. Based on the specified resources for each course at each study field and following students self-instruction and group tutorials by teachers via educational media, students sit in coordinated exams at all PNU study centers.