Arab International University

What Arab International University does

Arab International University (AIU; الجامعة العربية الدولية) is a private Syrian higher-education institution founded in 2005 and headquartered in Damascus, with its main campus located on Daraa Highway in Ghabagheb. AIU delivers undergraduate and graduate programs across nine faculties: Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Informatics & Communication (ICT Engineering), Business Administration, Arts, Law, and Scientific Research & Postgraduate Studies. The university enrolls 8,330 students, including 813 international students, and reports an alumni base of 10,657, supported by 257 teaching faculty and 353 technical support staff. AIU's core technology infrastructure includes a Moodle-based Learning Management System (learn.aiu.edu.sy) for course delivery, a MyGate student/faculty information portal, and specialized laboratories covering AI, Computer Networks, Telecommunications, Dental, Pharmacy, and Civil Engineering, alongside a Virtual Courtroom for law education, cinema studios, and an Olympic indoor heated swimming pool.

AIU's business model is tuition-driven, with revenue generated primarily from academic fees across its nine faculties, supplemented by student grants and scholarships (including Full Study Grants, Sport Grants, Honor Grants, Scholarships for Handicapped, and Student Mobility Grants) and international research funding from Erasmus+ and DAAD programs. The go-to-market motion is sales-led through admissions, supported by an International Relations Office that manages exchange partnerships with European, Jordanian, and Lebanese universities. The university reaches prospective students via social media (Facebook, X, YouTube, Instagram), education-fair participation, alumni success-story marketing, and the AIU website.

Strategically, AIU has invested in internationalization through Erasmus+ capacity-building projects (notably the FREE project for female academic empowerment with partners in Spain, Germany, Lithuania, Jordan, and Lebanon), a 2025 DAAD cooperation agreement, and external recognition via RUR Top 800 (2025) and Uniranks 2026 rankings. Recent recognitions include the IEEE Jordan Section 'Best Research Paper from Syria' award in 2026 for an AI-based stock-price-prediction framework, signaling emerging applied-AI research capability. Organizational expansion includes the formalization of the Equality and Sustainability Center (2022-2023) and dedicated teaching, language, and career-development centers. The institution is privately held with no disclosed PE/VC ownership and operates in a domestic Syrian market environment constrained by macroeconomic and geopolitical volatility.

Name

Arab International University

Legal name

Arab International University (الجامعة العربية الدولية)

Website

https://aiu.edu.sy

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Arab International University is a private Syrian higher-education institution founded in 2005, operating nine faculties (Dentistry, Pharmacy, Engineering, Architecture, ICT, Business, Arts, Law, and Postgraduate Studies) for 8,330 students including 813 international enrollees, with a tuition-based revenue model supplemented by Erasmus+ and DAAD research partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (61131)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Universities with Computing, Data & AI Focus (EDAHAEAK)

Keywords

• Higher education
• Academic degree programs
• Scientific research
• Professional training
• Language instruction

Headquarters

HQ city

Damascus

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Academic Fees: University generates revenue primarily through tuition fees from undergraduate and graduate programs across its 9 faculties including Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, Civil Engineering, ICT Engineering, Business Administration, Arts, and Law
2. Student Grants and Scholarships: University provides various grants including Full Study Grants (27), Sport Grants (11), Scholarship for Handicapped (805), Honor Grants (122), Civil Society and Charities Grants (72), and Student Mobility Grants (23)
3. Research Funding: Research activities funded through international partnerships including Erasmus+ and DAAD programs

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Arab International University (AIU) is a private Syrian higher education institution offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs across nine faculties: Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, Civil Engineering, Informatics & Communication Engineering, Business Administration, Arts, Law, and Scientific Research & Postgraduate Studies. The university delivers on-campus education supported by specialized laboratories, libraries, career services, and international exchange programs through Erasmus+ and DAAD partnerships.

Product overview

Arab International University (AIU) operates as a comprehensive private higher education institution offering technology-enhanced educational services through a platform-plus-support architecture. The core educational platforms include a Learning Management System (Moodle) for online course delivery and an Information Portal (MyGate) for academic and administrative services. Supporting services include an E-Library System with database access, a Training and Career Development Center (TCDC), an Equality and Sustainability Center, a Foreign Languages Center, and an Alumni Club. The university also provides specialized laboratories including AI, Computer Networks, and Telecommunications labs for hands-on training. The institution encompasses nine faculties: Dentistry, Pharmacy, Architecture, Civil Engineering, ICT Engineering, Business Administration, Arts, Law, and Scientific Research & Postgraduate Studies.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Faculty of Dentistry Undergraduate and graduate dental education program offering dental medicine degrees, supported by a dedicated Dental Laboratory for hands-on clinical training.
• Faculty of Pharmacy Pharmacy degree program with practical training in a dedicated Pharmacy Laboratory. First graduates produced in 2010.
• Faculty of Architecture Architecture degree program covering interior architecture, urban planning, and design, supported by Architecture and Arts Studios and partnerships with industry firms such as Maksoud Architects Group (MAG).
• Faculty of Civil Engineering Civil Engineering degree program with hands-on training in a dedicated Civil Engineering Laboratory covering construction, structural, and building sciences.
• Faculty of Informatics & Communication Engineering ICT Engineering degree program covering computer networks, telecommunications, and artificial intelligence, supported by Computer Networks, Telecommunications, and AI Laboratories. Partnership with Syrian Computer Society (SCS).
• Faculty of Business Administration Business Administration degree program offering bachelor's and graduate degrees in management, finance, and administration, with a Support Center and partnerships with Arab Bank - Syria.
• Faculty of Arts Arts degree program covering humanities and social sciences, supported by Cinema Studios and Theaters and Architecture and Arts Studios.
• Faculty of Law Law degree program supported by a Virtual Courtroom for simulation training in legal proceedings and advocacy. Partnership with Engineers Syndicate and Syrian Pharmacists Syndicate.
• Postgraduate Studies and Scientific Research Master's and doctoral degree programs across multiple disciplines, plus postdoctoral research opportunities, supported by the Post Graduate Studies and Research Council. Research output: 296+ publications.
• Foreign Languages Center Language instruction center offering English at multiple levels plus German, French, Spanish, and Aramaic for students and the broader community.
• Training and Career Development Center (TCDC) Established in 2008, TCDC links academic education with the job market through training, career guidance, and employer partnerships to support graduate employability.

Quantifiable outcome

• RUR Ranking: Entered top 800 universities globally
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026DAAD partnership includes hosting distinguished alumni researchers from Germany and signing cooperation agreement. Dr. Omar Al-Rais, graduate of Civil Engineering working at Bauhaus University Germany and Deutsche Bahn, conducted specialized workshop at AIU campus.
• ERASMUS+ Program (European Universities)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 July 2024AIU actively participates in Erasmus+ mobility programs enabling student and staff exchanges with European universities. The university welcomes the EU's plan to re-establish Erasmus+ program in Syria with a national office opening in 2027. Current partnerships include exchanges with Portuguese universities and USC.
• Maksoud Architects Group (MAG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture and design partnership for practical training and industry collaboration
• Syrian Computer Society (SCS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partnership supporting ICT engineering faculty and computer science programs
• Arab Bank - SyriaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFinancial sector partnership supporting business administration programs and student financing
• Syrian Virtual UniversityminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEducational partnership for online and distance learning collaboration
• Engineers Syndicate SyriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association partnership supporting engineering graduates' career integration
• Syrian Pharmacists SyndicateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional association partnership for pharmacy faculty graduates' professional licensing and career development
• Universidad Nacional de Educación a Distancia - SpaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in FREE project for female academic empowerment through Erasmus+ Capacity Building program
• Vilnius Gediminas Technical University - LithuaniacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in FREE project for gender equality in higher education
• Carl Von Ossietzky Universitat Oldenburg - GermanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in FREE project for gender equality in higher education
• Universidad de Alicante - SpaincoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic partner in FREE project for female academic empowerment
• Damascus University - SyriaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal university partnership for academic collaboration
• Princess Sumaya University for Technology - JordancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in FREE project for gender equality in higher education
• University of Petra - JordancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in FREE project for gender equality in higher education
• Modern University for Business & Science - LebanoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in FREE project for gender equality in higher education
• American University of Beirut - LebanoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in FREE project for gender equality in higher education
• Lebanese University - LebanoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner in FREE project for gender equality in higher education

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Damascus University: Syria's flagship public university headquartered in Damascus, competing for the same Syrian applicant pool across overlapping faculties (medicine/dentistry, engineering, law, business). It is the most directly comparable institution by geography and disciplinary breadth, against which AIU positions its private, internationally oriented alternative.
• University of Kalamoon: Private Syrian university providing undergraduate and graduate programs across scientific and humanities disciplines. Competes head-to-head with AIU for Syrian students who choose a private-degree path over public universities.
• Syrian Private University: Private university in Damascus offering multi-faculty degree programs similar to AIU's portfolio. Directly competes for tuition-paying Syrian and international students seeking an English-/Arabic-medium private higher education option inside Syria.

Regional players

• Near East University: Large private university in Northern Cyprus with a documented track record of enrolling Syrian and regional students seeking affordable English-medium degrees. Comparable as a cross-border competitor that captures students who might otherwise stay with Syrian private universities.
• Modern University for Business & Science (MUBS): Lebanese private university focused on business and applied sciences, and an existing AIU partner in the Erasmus+ Capacity Building FREE project. Comparable as a regional private provider active in cross-border academic partnerships involving AIU.

Broad incumbents

• American University of Beirut (AUB): Established English-medium research university in Beirut with strong regional intake, including Syrian students displaced during conflict. Comparable as a private, internationally-ranked Arab university and a primary destination for Syrian students seeking Western-style degrees in the region.
• Princess Sumaya University for Technology: Jordanian private technology-oriented university that already partners with AIU in the FREE Erasmus+ Capacity Building project. Comparable as a regionally recognized ICT-focused institution and a natural competitor/destination for Syrian students in the ICT engineering niche.
• Lebanese American University (LAU): Private American-style university in Lebanon with multiple campuses and an English-language curriculum. Comparable to AIU as a regional private institution that attracts Syrian and broader Levantine students through English-medium instruction and international accreditations.
• University of Petra: Jordanian private university covering business, law, IT, and applied sciences, currently an AIU partner in the FREE project. Comparable as a regional private option that competes for the cross-border student market AIU targets.

Emerging players

• Al-Ahliyya Amman University: Jordanian private university offering multi-faculty programs in medicine, engineering, business, and IT. Comparable as a regional private competitor for international students in the Levant who are evaluating cross-border options versus AIU's on-campus offer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/aiu_edu_sy
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCE0SXIKKRA-oRThZRynTRIg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArabInternationalUniversity
• Instagraminstagram.com/arab_international_university
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/arab-international-university

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles12 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Arab International University