The Michigan State University Dubai campus welcomed its first batch of undergraduate and graduate students for the 2008 fall semester at its new facility in Dubai International Academic City, a member of Tecom Investments.

“MSU Dubai brings with it an academic heritage of more than 150 years. We are confident the premier institution will reflect our mission to create and sustain a knowledge-based economy in the Arab region,” said Dr Ayoub Kazim, executive director, Dubai International Academic City and Dubai Knowledge Village.

“MSU Dubai will provide undergraduates with a broad intellectual background that will inculcate in them the habit of thought and analysis that is crucial in a rapidly-changing modern world,' said Dr Brendan Mullan, executive director of MSU Dubai.

Licensed by Knowledge and Human Development Authority, a Dubai Government education authority, MSU Dubai’s degrees and certificates are recognized internationally.

The university replicates the campus atmosphere and the level of academic and student support that is an established tradition on the main campus in East Lansing.

MSU Dubai is comprehensively connected with and integrated to the main MSU campus, giving Dubai students opportunities to enrich their academic and student life experiences through MSU main campus resources.

MSU was ranked 83rd worldwide in a recent survey by the Shanghai Jiao Tong University. It is also rated among the top 200 universities in the Times Higher Education (THE) - QS World University rankings, said a statement.-TradeArabia News Service