THE Scottish university where the new president of Iran studied for his Masters and PhD degrees has released the abstracts of his academic theses after "intense interest" from global media.

Hassan Rouhani, who was declared the new president-elect of Iran on Monday, graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University in the 1990s. He was awarded an MPhil in 1995 with a thesis entitled The Islamic Legislative Power, with reference to the Iranian experience, graduating in 1996.

In 1999, Dr Rouhani gained a PhD with his thesis, The Flexibility of Shariah (Islamic Law), again in the context of Iran.

The university is still seeking permission to release the full text of the theses.

A spokesman for the university said it had received "intense media interest" since Dr Rouhani's surprise victory, with press officers fielding calls from US news broadcasters such as NBC.

The principal and vice-chancellor of GCU, Professor Pamela Gillies, said: "I would like to congratulate our alumnus, Hassan Rouhani, on being elected president of Iran, a truly significant achievement.

"I hope his period as a scholar at Glasgow Caledonian University will prove beneficial as he assumes office, and I wish him every success as he works towards a positive future for Iran and its people."

Dr Rouhani, who has vowed to "follow the path of moderation and justice, not extremism", defied predictions to win with more than 50% of the vote in last Friday's poll.