About IAU History

International American University was founded in October 2003 in Vieux Fort, Saint Lucia by an act of the Parliament of the Government of Saint Lucia. On February 1, 2004, with only nine students and five departments, classes began.


At the invitation of the Government of Saint Lucia, the founding members of the International American University established the College of Medicine as a direct response to the needs and aspirations of American pre-medical students wanting to serve the U.S. HealthCare System. For the last decade, University leadership and members of the IAU College of Medicine community have been dedicated to developing caring physicians who are interested in improving the overall global health care industry. The University’s innovative case-based curriculum, with clinical integration, is led by an international faculty dedicated to student success and continues to attract students from across the globe.

The Founding Dean of the University, Paul Cherian, MD, initiated an innovative curriculum, aimed at developing students’ knowledge of the Basic Sciences as well as enhancing their problem solving skills through a problem based learning curriculum. He led the founding faculty in delivering a student centered curriculum which continues to be the cornerstone of the University’s success. Dr. Paul Cherian received the title of Dean Emeritus in 2015, in Dallas during the Inaugural Commencement of IAU College of Medicine.