In April 2007, it reopened under the name Islamic Online University with a greater offering of completely free short courses.

[4][5] Ernest Bai Koroma, the chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone (USL) welcomed the idea of establishing the IOU type Islamic institution.

[10] In November 2022, the IOU Chancellor Dr. Bilal Philips paid a courtesy visit to Adama Barrow, the President of the Gambia, and offered scholarships worth USD 4,000,000 for education of underprivileged Gambians at the International Open University.

[18][19] The International Open University has set a mandatory community service for the students as a part of graduation requirements.

In order to graduate, in addition to academic requirements, students are mandated to complete 216 hours of community service.