The World’s Largest Universities and the Visionaries Behind Them

OUS Academy in Switzerland
Aug 18, 2025
5 min read

Across the globe, universities serve as powerful engines of knowledge, progress, and social transformation. But some have grown far beyond traditional brick-and-mortar institutions to become massive learning ecosystems serving hundreds of thousands—and even millions—of students. These institutions often use innovative delivery models, such as distance learning and open education, to break barriers of geography, class, and circumstance.

This article explores the ten largest universities in the world by enrollment, delving not only into their scale and influence but also into the stories of the people and governments who founded them.

1. Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) – India

Headquarters: New Delhi, India
Enrollment: Over 4 million students
Founded: 1985
Founder: Government of India, named after Indira Gandhi

IGNOU is the undisputed giant in the world of higher education. Established through an Act of Parliament, it was a bold step by the Indian government to bring higher education to the remotest corners of the country. Named in memory of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, the idea was championed by her son, then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, who emphasized inclusive development through education. The university today offers over 200 programs through a vast network of regional centers and online platforms, serving not only Indians but learners across the world.

2. Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU) – Pakistan

Headquarters: Islamabad, Pakistan
Enrollment: Around 1.4 million students
Founded: 1974
Founder: Zulfikar Ali Bhutto

AIOU was established under the vision of Pakistan’s then-Prime Minister Zulfikar Ali Bhutto. Inspired by the British Open University model, Bhutto aimed to make education accessible to all, regardless of economic status, gender, or geography. The university was named after the great philosopher-poet Allama Iqbal, a national symbol of enlightenment. AIOU became a lifeline for women and rural students in conservative areas and continues to offer flexible education through multimedia, TV, radio, and now digital means.

3. Anadolu University – Turkey

Headquarters: Eskişehir, Turkey
Enrollment: Over 1 million students
Founded: 1982
Founder: Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen

Originally a conventional university, Anadolu took a revolutionary turn under the leadership of Prof. Dr. Yılmaz Büyükerşen, who introduced the open education system in Turkey. A renowned academic and later mayor of Eskişehir, Büyükerşen envisioned a modern, media-integrated model of distance learning. Under his leadership, the university built massive infrastructure for TV, radio, and later internet-based education, enabling access to higher education for millions of working adults, homemakers, and international learners.

4. Islamic Azad University – Iran

Headquarters: Tehran, Iran
Enrollment: Over 1.5 million students
Founded: 1982
Founders: Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani and Dr. Abdollah Jasbi

Established in the aftermath of the Iranian Revolution, Islamic Azad University was a product of visionary leadership. Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani, a prominent cleric and political leader, provided both the political will and initial funding. Dr. Abdollah Jasbi, a passionate academic and the first president of the university, laid the foundation for its rapid expansion. With campuses in nearly every Iranian city and even some abroad, the university provides both secular and religious programs to millions of students annually.

5. University System of Ohio – United States

Headquarters: Ohio, USA
Enrollment: Around 600,000 students
Founded: Mid-1960s
Founder: Ohio General Assembly

This is not a single university but a coordinated system of public institutions—including 14 universities and 23 community colleges—serving the state of Ohio. The initiative was launched by the Ohio General Assembly to streamline education policy, reduce redundancy, and expand access. The system includes well-known institutions like Ohio State University and community colleges that serve local populations. The system reflects the American model of decentralized but coordinated higher education aiming to reach learners at every level.

6. State University of New York (SUNY) – United States

Headquarters: Albany, New York, USA
Enrollment: Over 400,000 students
Founded: 1948
Founder: Governor Thomas E. Dewey

After World War II, New York’s then-Governor Thomas E. Dewey saw the need for a unified public university system to absorb the rising demand from returning veterans and a growing population. He created the State University of New York (SUNY), bringing together teacher colleges, agricultural institutes, and technical schools into one cohesive network. SUNY now includes 64 campuses across the state and remains a global model for public higher education.

7. University of South Africa (UNISA) – South Africa

Headquarters: Pretoria, South Africa
Enrollment: Over 400,000 students
Founded: 1873 (restructured in 1946)
Founder: University of the Cape of Good Hope

UNISA began as an examining body and transitioned into a full-fledged distance education university in the mid-20th century. During apartheid, UNISA offered one of the few higher education opportunities for non-white South Africans, becoming a crucial tool for social change. While it evolved over time, the university maintained a strong commitment to open access and today serves students across Africa and beyond through its comprehensive online learning platforms.

8. Bangladesh Open University (BOU) – Bangladesh

Headquarters: Gazipur, Bangladesh
Enrollment: Around 650,000 students
Founded: 1992
Founder: Government of Bangladesh under President Abdur Rahman Biswas

BOU was launched to meet the country's urgent need for human resource development. At a time when Bangladesh was undergoing socio-economic transformation, President Biswas and his government saw distance education as a tool to lift people out of poverty. The university was designed to educate a wide range of people—from farmers to teachers to mid-career professionals—using radio, television, printed modules, and now e-learning platforms.

9. Ramkhamhaeng University – Thailand

Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand
Enrollment: Around 400,000 students
Founded: 1971
Founder: Thai Government during King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s reign

Named after a revered Thai monarch, Ramkhamhaeng University was created to cope with increasing demand for higher education in Thailand. As the country’s first open university, it offered low-cost, high-access education to students across the nation. The government emphasized flexible admission and examination policies to allow working adults and rural learners to attend. The institution has become a key player in Thailand’s educational and professional development.

10. Sichuan Radio and TV University (Open University of China Network) – China

Headquarters: Chengdu, Sichuan, China
Enrollment: Over 500,000 (with nationwide network)
Founded: 1979
Founder: Ministry of Education, People’s Republic of China

The Open University system in China was born during the reform era under Deng Xiaoping. It was a response to the need for rapid workforce development after the Cultural Revolution. Sichuan Radio and TV University was among the first of these institutions, delivering programs via radio and TV to reach a wide audience. Over the years, it has become part of the larger Open University of China network, continuing to provide education for working adults, peasants, and civil servants alike.

Final Thoughts

These ten institutions are not just massive in size; they are monumental in impact. Their founders—whether visionary politicians, reform-minded educators, or progressive governments—shared a belief that education should be a right, not a privilege. By embracing new technologies, flexible learning models, and inclusive admission policies, they have redefined what it means to be a university in the modern world.

These universities stand as living proof that the future of education lies not in exclusivity, but in accessibility, scale, and innovation.