Islamia University began as Jamia Abbasia, a religious University established in Bahawalpur in 1925, following the academic pursuits of Al-Azhar University in Egypt. In 1975, Jamia Abbasia was declared as a general University, and renamed as The Islamia University of Bahawalpur (IUB). The University started at the Abbasia and Khawaja Fareed campuses with ten departments. Later, 1280 acres of land was allotted to the University on Hasilpur Road about eight kilometers away from the city center which became the Baghdad-ul-Jadeed campus. IUB added two more campuses in 2005: One covering eastern side of Bahawalpur Division (in Bahawalnagar; known as IUB - Bahawalnagar Campus) and the other one to cover western side of Bahawalpur Division (in Rahim Yar Khan; known as IUB - Rahim Yar Khan Campus). The University is now at 45 departments offering 74 disciplines. In 2015, the university was ranked eighth in the general (large) category of "HEC Ranking of Universities in Pakistan". The Islamia University of Bahawalpur has, for more than three decades, been dedicated to its mission to cherish scholars who will contribute to society by advancing knowledge and imparting Islamic ideology to its new generation of students. Faculty, students and supporting staff take pride in contributing to the Islamia University's enhanced reputation as Pakistan flagship, research-led university, known for the excellence of teaching, research, and its service to local, national and international communities.