Michigan State has long billed itself as a “world grant” university, so it’s not particularly surprising that it’s setting up a new campus — in Dubai, a Persian Gulf emirate. The internationally minded land-grant institution will become the first American university to build a campus in Dubai’s new International Academic City. The city was created in April and incorporates Dubai’s Knowledge Village, which houses nearly 20 foreign higher-education institutions, although none from the United States.

The Michigan State campus will offer both undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields such as computer engineering and construction management. Financing for the project will come from a line of credit provided by Tecom Investments, a government entity that owns the academic city. The costs will be repaid with program revenue and not draw on university resources, according to John Hudzik, Michigan State’s vice president for global engagement and strategic projects, in a university news release.

The International Academic City bills itself as “the world’s only free zone dedicated to international higher education.” It covers 25 million square feet and includes space for classrooms, research centers, sports facilities, and student and faculty accommodations. Universities and others that set up shop there are given complete ownership, tax-free status, and full repatriation of profits. —Beth McMurtrie