This article examines the theoretical foundations and practices of academic mobility and student migration in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The article examines educational migration and academic mobility of Iranians and foreigners in Iran. The topic's relevance stems from changes in global politics, with the emergence of a polycentric system of international relations. This system is based on associations such as BRICS, which Iran joined in 2024. In this view, Iran's attitude toward the humanistic concept of higher education and the BRICS principles of sustainable development is examined, specifically, government policy on educating Iranian students abroad. The authors review official statements by representatives of the Iranian education system and other legal and regulatory acts of the Islamic Republic of Iran, as well as international treaties and agreements that concern the education of Iranians abroad. The articles raise the issue of Iran's demographic situation, which directly impacts the number of students. The findings demonstrate that Iran's leadership presents higher education as a tool for sustainable development and the exchange of experience within the framework of international cooperation, and that Iran's accession to BRICS has paved the way for a systemic approach to student exchange. At the same time, Iran positions itself as a sovereign regional power with a special purpose, which it seeks to realize through its foreign education policy, by presenting an attractive image of Iran in the media. In practice, student exchange between Iran and other countries are sporadic, and Iranian students may face challenges such as language barriers, legal difficulties of residing in another country, and a lack of information about studying abroad. Besides, the state of military conflict damages educational migration.
Iran, BRICS, higher education, educational migration, academic mobility, polycentric world