RIU was founded in the early 2000s through ITED (International Education Trust), initially established as an institution offering Islamic and Arabic language courses at diploma level. However, due to the demand for affordable quality higher education, the founders decided to expand and upgrade to a fully-fledged university offering degrees in various fields. As the custodians of the institution, ITED envisioned RIU to be an academic platform which aims at shaping the minds and producing a new breed of intellectuals and skilled professional who combine contemporary scientific approaches with noble human values.