Prior learning degrees from a major university in Iran. Is this real?

Recently, I’ve accidently discovered two websites claiming to be associated with a branch of a major Iranian university, Islamic Azad University (top 400 best global universities). They apparently grant entire degrees through recognition of prior learning. This would include Master’s degrees and so-called Specialized Doctorates (PhDs) Apparently, you can get these degrees without the submission of previously earned degrees. I am slightly skeptical, but I am not dismissing the possibility of this branch being truly connected to the university. The various branches of Azad University have looked for additional accreditation with the controversial QAHE accreditation body in recent years. It looks like a fairly new service. I’ve only seen one LinkedIn profile of a guy with INTIAU branch Iranian Master’s degree. But their website "conditions" section mentions that fact that you can backdate the achieved degree and even receive it from other genuine branches of the university;

"Degrees can be issued through the INTIAU international unit and from the Oxford unit in the United Kingdom, the Dubai unit in the United Arab Emirates, the Science and Research Units, Mashhad and Tehran Medical Sciences in Iran."

Here are the two websites. Is this thing real? What do you all think?

https://intiau.ac.ir.university/university-information-system/recognition-of-prior-learning/

https://tohave.co/conditions/

 

Yes, but if it connected to real branches of Azad University, it might even get a pass in some credential evaluation contexts. At least, that's the promise...I would like to know whether it is truly connected to the university. That's why I posted this.

 

These connections make me wonder about whether it's genuine. For example, there are recognized Azad University branches with QAHE accreditation. ;-) Why is an RPL degree far-fetched?

https://www.qahe.org.uk/institute/islamic-azad-university-science-and-research-branch-iau-srb/
https://www.qahe.org.uk/institute/islamic-azad-university-uae-branch/

 

These degrees look this way:

 

Degree by prior work are used in some European countries. It isn't unheard of.

 

Many UK universities offer a PhD degree by prior publication. Is this the same thing?

 

Is there any evidence that demonstrates connection between the "International Students Unit of Azad University" and "Islamic Azad University"?

 

There is a campus of Islamic Azad University in Oxford. It's called the Azad University (IR) in Oxford and it's accredited by the British Accreditation Council, BAC, which is legitimate, a member of ENQA and duly listed in the EQAR registry. For more info, see https://www.the-bac.org/directory/12304/azad-university-ir-in-oxford/

The website of the other, International, Azad University is on the totally unregulated .university domain and the address given by the school is Pullens Lane, Headington, Oxford. Not the same address as Azad University (IR) in Oxford and International Azad University may be operating out of the premises of the EF International Language Campus for all I know. Or the Headington Rye Day and Boarding School. Plater College closed in 2005.

The diploma wouldn't impress many credential evaluators. Diplomas from Islamic Azad University are written in Farsi.

 

The diploma may not impress experienced evaluators, but it has the signature of Prof. Jalal Dorakhshah, Vice Chancellor for International Affairs and Foreign Students, Islamic Azad University. So unless it has been faked, a connection still exists.

 

Awarding "degrees" solely on the basis of prior learning is a core practice of diploma mills. Legitimate universities do not do this.

 

I believe that it can be done in a legitimate way. For example, the Toulouse School of Management in France offers "a possibility to partially or completely earn a degree without taking classes." But there is an entire rigorous procedure in place. It's never a quick review that can be done in a matter of days as with the International Unit.

Referenced link: https://tsm-education.fr/en/corporate-relations/train-your-teams/vpl

 

I´m impressed, how did you even find this offer ? Personally I haven´t looked at any Irianian website ever, which is course because I come from Europe.

I´ve tried to verify, whether this INTIAU is really connected to the Azad University but I couldn´t find it on what I believe to be the official Azad University website:
https://scimet.iau.ir/Units.php
Here they list their "units" and INTIAU is not mentioned.

 

Oh, I like to search for obscure global higher education offers, so I guess it wasn't purely accidental that the algorithms gave me access to such "exclusive offers." It's possible that INTIAU is only loosely connected to existing branches of the university, but serves as a way to bring in more cash. Perhaps there's no connection at all. Maybe someone will have more luck in verifying the extent of the connection. But the signatures come from real individuals connected to Azad.