The Application of SWOT Model in the Recognition of University Problems Case study: Islamic Azad university Ahar-branch

In this paper, having reviewed the literature of higher education development, we have carried out research by using the indexes of education, research, financial welfare, cultural and scholar condition. Then we investigated problems of Islamic Azad University-Ahar branch. Finally by using SWOT matrix, we have dealt with threats and opportunities, and presented strategies exploing strengths and weaknesses. The methods use in this research are descriptive – survey and Delphi method. The statistical population includes four groups: scholars, teachers, personnel and town authorities, and also relative classification method has applied a simple random sampling and count technique. The research outlines strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities presenting strategies by SWOT matrix, and thereafter, resulted strategies are prioritized. The important strategies include to increase the number of high ranking academic members and to establish new courses for example: mineral engineering, industrial management, and industrial engineering.