Urban Development in the Arabian Peninsula
6 The Journal of the International Institute Fall 2008 United Kingdom, Belgium, Iran, Pakistan, Russia, Aus- Urban Development tralia, France, and the Indian Subcontinent. One of these is Michigan State University, which recently established a branch campus in DIAC and enrolled its inaugural class in the Arabian Peninsula this fall. The UAE is not alone in its international education pursuits. Neighboring Qatar is also taking strides to improve the quality of life for its citizens, including the expansion of opportunities for women and a significant investment in education and research. In Doha, Qatar’s capital, a 2,500-acre campus houses the largest number of American university branch campuses in the Middle East, or perhaps anywhere outside the United States. Known as Education City, the campus was developed under the leadership of the Qatar Foundation, an orga- nization dedicated to working collaboratively with some of the world’s finest academic and research institutions in order to move the country toward a knowledge-based economy. At present, Cornell University, Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, Texas A&M Universi- ty, Northwestern University, and Virginia Commonwealth University all offer specialized degree-granting programs in Education City. Qatari and other international institu- tions dedicated to training and research are located in Education City as well. By Kirstin Olmstead and Mark Tessler These innovative and ambitious developments in ur- ban life and international education are transforming the French Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres (L) and French architect Jean Nouvel (R) observe the model of the future Louvre Abu Dhabi museum character of Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Doha, as are compa- after a signing ceremony on March 6, 2007.
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